Timothy Wilken
We Californians like most Americans don’t like to think about stressful threats to our lifestyles. The spring 2001 electrical energy crisis has faded from our consciousness. CNN reported one year ago today:
SACRAMENTO, California—After a brief respite, California’s electricity supply fell to a dangerously low level again Friday, causing officials to issue another Stage 3 alert, meaning that forced blackouts were again possible.
State officials had lifted the alert just before midnight on Thursday, the first relief from alert status in almost two weeks. But when a small northern California power plant went down early Friday, the California Independent System Operator, which manages the state’s power grid, reinstated the Stage 3 alert at around 4:30 a.m.
California power managers have called on residents to do everything they can to conserve, even suggesting people planning to watch Sunday night’s Super Bowl do so in groups. Television use most likely will surge during the Baltimore Ravens-New York Giants championship football match.
After an enormous amount of concern, worry, and complaining, most of us have adjusted to the reality of higher energy prices. They are about twice what they were a year ago. We did cut back on our electical use. It is much easier to remember to turn off the lights when you get a $500 electical bill every month.
We haven’t heard a lot about the energy crisis lately, and so most of us have quietly returned to the routine of just earning our livings.
But, are we really safe? Is the crisis over ? Perhaps its time to look once more at the big picture.
