PLUGGED IN: People were conserving after avalanches cut lines.
Published: July 17th, 2008 12:10 AM
Last Modified: July 17th, 2008 12:46 AM
JUNEAU -- The capital city's trend toward energy conservation is diminishing now that the price of electric power has dropped.
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Two avalanches on April 16 destroyed transmission towers and lines from Juneau's hydroelectric power plant.
After the avalanches, Alaska Electric Light and Power turned to backup generators that burned much more expensive diesel, and electric bills in the capital city increased by nearly 500 percent for about a month.
As a result, Juneau residents started conserving, and cut their power consumption by more than 30 percent by doing things like turning off their TV sets and stringing lines outside to dry washed clothes.
But in the month since repairs were completed, usage has crept up again.
AEL&P spokesman Scott Willis said Juneau last week used about 13 percent less electricity than in the same week last year.
Energy analyst Bill Leighty said that's not a surprise.
He said people were tired of not being able to use electric appliances, such as dryers.
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