Making Conservation and Energy Efficiency a Priority

The Meadow Brook-to-Loudoun transmission line is the only feasible way to avoid immediate and severe electric reliability problems for Northern Virginia by early in the next decade.

But over the long term, conservation and energy efficiency must play a very significant role in meeting the energy needs of Northern Virginia. We must make conservation a priority.

By using energy more efficiently, we can make the most of our existing energy resources and reduce – but not eliminate – the need for new infrastructure. This healthy balance will save money for us all - and also protect the environment.

Both Gov. Tim Kaine and the General Assembly recognize that conservation must be a cornerstone of meeting Virginia’s future energy needs.

The Governor’s Virginia Energy Plan calls for reducing the growth rate for the state’s consumption of energy by 40 percent over the next 15 years. Legislation passed by the 2007 General Assembly endorsed a goal of reducing electricity consumption in Virginia by 2022. The State Corporation Commission is now conducting a study to determine the best means to meet this target.

These are ambitious goals, and the Governor and General Assembly should support these goals with legislation to encourage the use of energy efficient appliances (such as the state sales tax holiday in October) and launch aggressive education programs for consumers.

The realities of modern life often make it hard to use less energy. Many energy-consuming appliances – such as cell phones, computers and printers – are no longer luxuries or even simple conveniences, but absolute necessities for our high-technology economy. And increasingly, that economy is built around information technology – which requires energy 24/7 to operate.

Conservation alone will not completely meet the growing demand for electricity in Northern Virginia. Meeting that need will require a balance of multiple initiatives, including increased use of renewable energy and new infrastructure.

But conservation should be a cornerstone of every plan for Virginia’s energy future. And we must start – now – to incorporate energy-saving practices into our homes and businesses. It will save money. It will promote more efficient use of our available energy resources.

And above all, it will promote a cleaner, healthier environment.

Here are some immediate actions you might consider to conserve energy.

1. Turn off your computer, lights, stereo, TV and other appliances when not in use.
2. Unplug adapters (like your cell phone charger and MP3 player) when not in use, as the charger will use energy 24/7 even when your item is not charging. Use a power strip for items (like an entertainment system) and turn power strip off when not in use (anything with a remote control is constantly drawing electricity).
3. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) instead of incandescent light bulbs. CFL bulbs consume about 75 percent less energy to produce the same amount of light as traditional incandescent bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer. Replacing a 60-watt incandescent bulb with an equivalent CFL can save $54 during the bulb’s lifetime, according to estimates by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
4. During the daytime, use natural lighting when possible-open your blinds to brighten up the room. During the night, close your blinds or curtains to keep the heat in your room.
5. Save energy with no effort by enabling your computer's energy-saving features. Always turn your computer off if you will not be using it within the next hour.
6. Consider energy-efficient computer systems and monitors when you replace a system. Flat-screen monitors use 50-70% less energy.
7. Turn your refrigerator temperature down (while retaining a healthy level). Most refrigerators are set at a temperature that is unnecessarily cold, resulting in accidentally almost-frozen food.
8. Buy ENERGY STAR®-qualified models.
9. Use cold for the wash cycle (instead of hot) when you do your laundry, and always rinse in cold. Colder water also ensures your fabric colors will not run!
10. Consider using a clothing rack or hangers to air-dry your laundry instead of using the dryer. This will help the quality of your clothing last longer and the extra humidity from the drying clothes can also make your room feel warmer!
11. Heating and cooling play a major role in home and business energy consumption. Make sure your system is properly maintained and that the filters are clean. And consider keeping your thermostat on 78o in the summer and 68o in the winter. For every degree you raise the air conditioner setting in the summer – or lower the heating setting in the winter – you can save up to 3 percent in energy costs.

Additional Energy-Savings Resources:

At Home

At the Office

Alliance to Save Energy

Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings

Energy Star

U.S. Department of Energy

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency

State and Federal Programs:

Governor Tim Kaine Introduces Virginia Energy Plan