In the past 30 years, electricity consumption has doubled. It's risen almost 10 times a person since 1950, from 474 kilowatt hours to 4,571 kwh in 2006.

Not to get stuck in the "good old days" or "when we were young" mode, but we have to wonder, what are we using all this power for? And we also have to wonder, are we happier for it?

We'll certainly be poorer for it.

Energy rates are expected to climb significantly as consumption drives utilities to build or buy new power generation, upgrade aging infrastructure and respond to climate change.

Utilities routinely brush aside the assertion that efficiency and other demand-management measures could curb the rising demand for power.

It doesn't pay utility companies to promote efficiency. Their job is to sell electricity and natural gas.

But conservation has been proven to work. Kansas is one of only 10 states that, in 2006, reported having zero cumulative savings from efficiency. That means 40 states have found a way to save through conservation and efficiency.

We suggest taking matters into our own hands and save whatever power we can at home and in our businesses.

Let's see if we can beat that 30 megawatt-hour savings of 2006.

Editorial by the Salina Journal