The true reason there is a shortage is that due to environmental concerns power plants, refineries, transmission lines, pipelines, etc. have not been built or have been held up. We need to balance the environmental concerns with energy needs. BUT these things must happen if we are to meet our future energy needs. Conservation is only a short time help. BUT if the economy is to grow not stagnate new power sources will need to be found, new power plants will need to be built, new transmission lines, pipelines, etc.
Every business requires SOME power consumption.
These things do not happen overnight but unless someone with the foresight to anticipate these problems is in charge they get ahead of us. We don't act until it is too late. This has been coming slowly over the past years but no-one either wanted to see it or had the foresight to see it. You are wrong. I wish this money was going to reduce the Federal Government's debt instead of extending the debt.