I read about a group that is trying to get residents to reduce electrical energy consumption by 4 per cent. That way, they say, no changes will be required to our existing electrical substation and transmission lines, and we can then look forward to the same wonderful level of service and power outages that we have enjoyed in the past.

This group must know that the 4 percent reduction is problematical even if the number of energy-using devices on BI could be frozen at their present levels somehow. But how likely is that to happen?

Today we have energy-consuming products that didn’t even exist 10 years ago, and there is no reason to expect that just as many new things won’t be brought to market in the next 10 years.

Further, in time, there will also be more homes and active businesses on BI, each demanding the right to tap into existing energy sources, whatever they are at the time.

Today, I read about a major introduction this year of all-electric cars which will eventually replace fossil fuel cars. Washington is one of the key markets. Isn’t it going to be kind of tough to keep these cars charged up without additional energy capabilities, especially when the power goes off for several days as it did not so long ago?

Insulating houses, buying energy-efficient appliances, and turning out unused lights are all good things, and I compliment anyone who is willing to sit in a cold, dark house just to save energy. However, most of us have additional priorities for our time like trying to get a little pleasure out of life.

I doubt if many residents understand all the details of what PSE is proposing, but doing nothing is the wrong answer. Improvements and upgrades to our energy capabilities should have been made a long time ago.

I hope PSE will ignore the vocal minority that want to stop progress. PSE, do the right thing.

Stephen Jennings

Bainbridge Islan