But for those angered by rising fuel prices, the best revenge is still needing and using less. This is not just a California problem. And for the three months ending in May 2001, statewide consumption actually dropped by about 6.5 percent, compared to weather-adjusted totals for the previous year. California accounted for only 15 percent of the increase in Western peak power use from 1995 through 2000, although the state represents about 40 percent of the total system. This is one more good reason for Congress to pass S. 207 and H.R. 778.
Affordable power can be green power.
California's air, water and land-use safeguards are not to blame for this crisis. Indeed, the capacity additions anticipated over the next several years are both clean and large enough to begin improving California's air quality by displacing dirtier competitors during at least some hours of the year. Low-income citizens need immediate relief. Additional resources must be added at this crucial time, to ensure that no one loses access to essential services.