Juneau's trend toward energy conservation is diminishing now that the price of electric power has dropped. Avalanches on April 16 destroyed transmission lines from Juneau's hydroelectric power plant, forcing the city's power utility to turn to far more expensive diesel power. Residents responded by cutting consumption by more than 30 percent. But in the month since repairs were completed, power use has crept up. A spokesman for the Alaska Electric Light & Power Company, Scott Willis, said Juneau last week used about 13 percent less electricity than in the same week last year. An energy analyst, Bill Leighty, said people were tired of not being able to use electric appliances.
Turning the Power Back on in Juneau
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AP, via The New York Times, July 17, 2008
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