Conservation is once again becoming a frequently used word around the state.
Today, governor Leavitt renewed his call for the people of Utah to conserve power.
Government Specialist Richard Piatt has more on this year's Power Forward campaign.
This Power Forward campaign has nothing to do with Karl Malone: It's a direct appeal to you to think about the energy you use before a crisis hits.
Power blackouts are a real worry during the summer because of all the energy people use now.
Air conditioners, hot tubs, refrigerators running on overtime--all put a strain on the power grid.
Friday the Governor re-explained the Power Forward warning system: Green, yellow and red symbols, put out every day, that let people know when they need to really conserve.
Governor Leavitt: "SOMEONE ASKED ME THE OTHER DAY, HOW MANY UTAHNS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHTBULB? AND THE ANSWER IS ALL OF US. AND I THINK THAT'S INDICATIVE OF THE FACT THAT IF WE LOOK AT MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT PRODUCTS, WE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE."
Last year the Power Forward campaign worked well. On one 'yellow alert' day, Utah saved 100 megawatts of power---that's enough energy to power an area the size of Provo and Orem for a whole day.
Officials are hoping--and counting on-- the same kind of support during these summer months this year.
June 14, 2002
