The first week in July marked the beginning of the peak season for electricity consumption. The mix of 90-degree weather and power-hungry air conditioners is the major culprit, but chances are your residential appliances, computers, hot water heaters and various other electrical devices aren't exactly taking the dog days of summer off either. Now is an ideal moment for consumers to take responsibility for their energy costs - the stakes have gotten too high to think otherwise.
That begins with conservation. Dialing down our energy consumption might not arouse the public's interest (or ire) like utility deregulation or proposed power-line projects, but nothing can offer more immediate relief for surging Baltimore Gas and Electric bills. For most consumers, it's within their power to reduce consumption by 10 percent, 15 percent, even 25 percent or more.
This past week, Gov. Martin O'Malley announced plans for an energy summit later this month and said he wants to reduce Maryland power consumption by 15 percent by 2015. It may take state government that long to meet this modest goal, but consumers and small businesses can probably do even better.
After all, the science involved isn't of the space flight variety. Mostly, it will require upgrading the energy efficiency of buildings and the office or household equipment inside them, and then educating people on how best to take advantage of them.
In the home, changing from incandescent to fluorescent light bulbs, for instance, can save 75 percent of lighting costs. Unplugging electronic equipment when it's not in use, installing a smart thermostat, using ceiling fans, washing clothes in cold water, clearing your dryer's vent, upgrading home insulation and buying energy-efficient appliances are among the recommended actions.
BGE offers a long list of conservation tips on its Web site. So does the Maryland Energy Administration. The necessary information is readily available - if consumers are willing to take action.
High energy costs aren't going away. Nor will the harm to Mother Nature caused by power generation. It simply isn't a problem unique to this state, to the region or the nation. The money you save through conservation might even come in handy - and so might a cleaner environment.