California's Energy Crisis Affects Entire Country

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TO BUSINESS AND ENERGY EDITORS:

California's Energy Crisis Affects Entire Country

BROOMFIELD, COLORADO, Mar. 16 -/E-Wire/-- California is the sixth largest economic center of the world, producing 13% of America's gross domestic product. The rolling blackouts that recently occurred in northern California affect the entire country, but there are measures you can take to protect yourself. Many national consequences have resulted from the California energy crisis.

California's Losses Mean Higher Prices Across the Country

Blackouts in California have shut down businesses, if only for an hour or two, but the result has been lost worker productivity that cost millions of dollars. These economic losses suffered by California businesses will probably be passed on to consumers across the country in the form of higher prices on products, from computer technology to produce.

California's Borrowed Energy May Lead to Shortages Elsewhere

Since deregulation, many utility companies now purchase energy from one another, transporting it through a network of high power lines, called the grid. If California utility companies purchase power from a utility company thousands of miles away and are unable to return the power when it is needed, there may then be a power shortage in the location of that utility company.

Declining Stock Values The value of stocks for California's publicly held utility companies, Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric Company, may dip when the companies cannot fulfill consumer demand for power. If your money is tied up in these stocks or in mutual funds that include them, you may experience losses or a low return on your investment.

Higher Rates for Power in Other Parts of the Country

Some financial analysts are predicting that if California's utility companies are unable to re-pay their debts to the utility companies from which they purchased power, those other utility companies may have to raise their rates in order to recoup their losses.

"While measures are being taken to minimize the negative financial impact of California's energy crisis, this is a wake-up call," said John Schaeffer, president of Gaiam Real Goods, a division of Gaiam, Inc. that offers education and products that create environmentally sound, renewable energy sources. "This crisis serves as a reminder that we must develop and use alternative, renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and water power, especially now that our high-tech way of life is exhausting traditional power sources. Let's face it -- the Age of Oil is rapidly coming to an end. Even the U.S. Congress's Office of Technology Assessment admits we have less than 40 years worth of oil left in the reserves of the world, so it's just a question if we start moving to renewables now, or wait until the last drop of oil is gone."

How Can You Protect Yourself And The Environment? You can create your own self-sufficient energy sources that are also less taxing to the environment than traditional energy sources that use petroleum products. Here are Schaeffer's suggestions:

For Renters If you rent your home, invest in energy sources that you can take with you if you move. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which are four times as efficient and last over 10 times as long. Install an instantaneous water heater that heats water only when you need it, rather than keeping 40 gallons hot all the time. Save money and the environment by using water heater blankets, set-back thermostats and rechargeable batteries and chargers. When you move, you can take all these items with you.

For Home Owners Renewable energy electric generating systems utilize the sun, wind or water depending on the natural resources available. About 95% of the systems that Gaiam Real Goods sells are solar systems because wind and hydroelectric are scarcer resources. A solar system pays for itself in approximately ten years, at which time you will have no utility bills, nor reliance on the utility company for energy.

Solar power has come down in price 90% during the past 20 years, making it competitive in price with traditional power sources. You can purchase a self-contained solar power system or an intertie system that works with your traditional power supply system. A small solar system costs around $1,500, which will provide a small power supplement. A large system costs around $20,000 or more, which will provide all the electricity needed by a typical household.

Wind systems are useful and more economical than solar systems when there is an average annual wind speed of 8 M.P.H. or more. Hydroelectric power systems are very cost-effective when one has adequate flow of water at their home site. Full descriptions, feasibility, and costs of the renewable energy systems can be found in Schaeffer's book "Real Goods 10th Edition Solar Living Sourcebook."

Gaiam Real Goods is part of Gaiam, Inc., a multi-channel lifestyle company providing goods, services and information for customers who value healthy living, personal development and a clean environment. Founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1988, Gaiam was created to further the concept of "Conscious Commerce"; the practice of making purchasing decisions based on lifestyle choices and personal values. Gaiam is a leader in the LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) Industry that supports a sustainable economy, healthy living, alternative health, personal development and ecological living. Visit Gaiam Real Goods at www.gaiam.com or call 1-[REDACTED-PHONE] to speak with a renewable energy technician.

Lisa Elia for Gaiam, Inc., [REDACTED-PHONE], [REDACTED-EMAIL]

http://http://www.gaiam.com

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