This island has its share of power problems, what with long-term ownership of Kaua’i Electric in doubt, sky-high electricity prices and the search for alternative energy sources. But things could be worse. About five hours away as the airliner flies,
This island has its share of power problems, what with long-term ownership of Kaua’i Electric in doubt, sky-high electricity prices and the search for alternative energy sources.
But things could be worse. About five hours away as the airliner flies, people in the state of Washington are reeling under the impact of a double-whammy of meteorolgical and corporate doing.
On the weather front, sub-freezing temperatures that weather forecasters said could plunge into single digits in some parts of the state had government and utility officials worried last week about electricity shortages as people turn up the heat. Washington’s governor was calling for voluntary energy conservation by residents and businesses. To help out, governors in several other western states were issuing similar pleas to their constituents, since there is little or no extra elecricity to share. California, which has sold power to Northwestern states during their cold snaps in past years, barely avoided blackouts last week because of its own supply crunch. The Northwest has dug its own hole by not expanding its energy sources to go along with the region’s growth.
At the same time Washingtonians are hurting for energy, they are being asked to pay more for it. Three utilities are seeking approval from state regulators for rate increases of 25 to 28 percent. The highest increase, if authorized, would add $14.95 to the monthly bill of customers. Rates have already been raised twice in the past year under a state law that allows utilties to pass their business costs along to customers.
Kaua’i can be thankful that it doesn’t have problems like Washington’s piled on top of its own.
