Conservation? It's Such a 70's Idea

[Inland]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/02/business/02norris.html

Floyd Norris

Published: September 2, 2005
New York Times
WHERE are the plans for energy conservation? They are needed now.

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THERE was no mention of conservation when President Bush spoke Wednesday. By yesterday, he was talking of the need to conserve, but only in a general manner.

Perhaps the politicians are paralyzed by memories of the way Jimmy Carter was mocked for wearing a sweater as he urged us to adjust our thermostats during another energy crisis. The 55 miles per hour speed limit somehow seems to be a violation of the fundamental rights of American drivers. Sacrifice speed to help avert soaring prices? Surely you must be kidding.

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The prudent course now would be for a national effort to reduce demand. Urge drivers to slow down and tell the police to enforce speed limits. A campaign to raise home thermostats now, and lower them this winter, might reduce demand enough to limit the price increases that the market will have to bear.

[phantom power]

1. It's too late for plans. Prices are now doing our planning for us.

People are now going to conserve, simply because they can't afford to do otherwise.

[truthout]

2. Exactly...

As well as reducing or eliminating costly regulations that limit supplies that everyone from poor to middle class need to go about their everyday lives.

It's time we start working on increasing production to meet increased demand. This will bring the price of gas and oil down so people can afford them, plain and simple. Yes that means building more refineries and allowing more drilling for oil (means money and jobs to those in the drilling area). At the same time though these high prices will drive demand for new efficient technologies which will also help.