One of the questions I get asked by many people is why are utility companies offering rebates to get rid of my incandescent, fluorescent and halogen lights? Upgrading is a huge cost for my business and my electric bill continues to go up even when I install these new measures.

The simple explanation is that building new utility plants is not only expensive, but the permitting process daunting coupled with societal pressure, “not in my backyard”.

Building a new plant takes years and there is no guarantee once built that it will even be allowed to operate as new regulations come into effect.

Coupled with this is that many current utility plants are being shut down as they are old and expensive to operate (whether it be coal, gas or nuclear). Siting new power lines and transmission stations always meets with public opposition.

Electric power demand continues to rise as new technology brings to the stage more electric/electronic devices to be consumed and the vast power-hungry AI technology.

Electric power production in today’s world uses coal, gas or nuclear power. There is much opposition to the production of coal, burning fossil fuels and wariness over nuclear waste. The shift is to clean, renewable power.

Simply put electric utility companies must incentivize the reduction of electrical use to meet the demand of us as consumers. Even if you question global warming, you want that AC working on hot summer days, you want the electric lights working 24/7 and you want to be able to charge your electric vehicle while sleeping. Without reducing demand, the utility companies will be offering you brownouts, blackouts or limited hours of use as is done in some countries in the world currently.

Electric rates continue to climb as the cost of infrastructure increases whether it be copper, steel or human resources. It isn’t cheap transporting new electric poles, towers or transformers. Highly skilled high voltage electricians demand wages commensurate with the dangers associated with their job whether it be working in a hurricane, forest fire zone or in your peaceful neighborhood with cars travelling at 60 mph within inches of their crew.

If we do not reduce electric consumption, rates will rise even higher and eventually the worst-case scenario of the utility making choices of who gets electricity and at what time of day or night.