HAPPY HOLIDAYS, BROUGHT TO YOU Happy Holidays, Brought To You By Energy by Wendell Cox

(NAPSI)-What do the holidays and our national energy policy have in common? Perhaps more than you think. The holidays are a time to gather with family and friends and reflect on the past year and the one to come. And while most people don't think about energy during this time, consider how energy helps make the holidays so special. Energy Demand Factors As families pile into cars to visit relatives, they have many fellow travelers--the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's is the most heavily traveled time of year. In fact, transportation will account for 87 percent of the increase in U.S. oil demand over the next 25 years. But energy's impact on the holidays goes well beyond where the rubber meets the road. In the coming months, the United States will see an almost 20 percent increase in energy demand. Just think of every holiday celebration you attend--ovens and other kitchen appliances working overtime, not to mention dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers. And that's just inside the house. Holiday lights are one of the largest consumers of energy, and these festive displays tend to get bigger and go up earlier each year. Just 10 strands lit for 13 hours a day can add more than $50 to a monthly energy bill. Be thankful you don't have to pay for the Christmas tree in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza. Even though the city now uses energy-efficient LED technology, just one day of lighting the tree's five miles of lights will use as much energy as a 1,000-square-foot single-family home would use in one month. Then consider what's under your tree. Even in these uncertain economic times, electronics purchases are projected to rise 3.5 percent during the holiday season compared to a year ago. TV sales are expected to be particularly high as people prepare for the nationwide conversion to digital television next February. In fact, by 2010, America is expected to have more televisions than people. The gadgets at the top of your shopping list, including cell phones, computers and MP3 players, require energy to function. In 2006 alone, U.S. consumer electronics used more electricity than was produced by all the windmills, solar panels and biomass-to-electricity plants in America that year. Necessities, Not Luxuries The fact is that energy-consuming lights, appliances and gadgets have become necessities in our everyday lives, not luxuries, 365 days a year. The result is an ever-growing demand for energy. While some people see this as a problem, it's actually a tremendous sign of progress. As energy consumption increases, the standard of living in the United States also rises. We're seeing similar trends all over the world as billions of people aspire to live as well as we do. For the 1.6 billion people living without access to electricity in their homes, rising energy demand isn't a problem--it's a solution. Meeting Future Energy Needs Nonetheless, it's important to be mindful of our energy consumption. The good news is we've made great strides in energy efficiency and conservation here at home. For example, new LED holiday lights use 10 percent of the energy of mini lights. Similarly, through updates and standard-setting for appliances, cars and high-tech gadgets, U.S. energy intensity has fallen by a little more than half over the last 50 years. Not to mention the growth of alternative energy sources, which will also play a role in moderating demand. The reality is that increased efficiency, conservation and alternative energy use is not enough. The U.S. government predicts that traditional sources of energy --coal, oil and natural gas--will continue to meet the majority of our energy needs well into the future. When the holiday cheer ends and a new Congress and president turn their attention to energy, they must recognize the need for policies that promote all forms of energy and take advantage of America's vast resources. Energy literally helps brighten our lives around the holidays and beyond. For more information, visit www.EnergyTomorrow.org/DemandinPerspective. • Wendell Cox is principal of Demographia, an international public policy firm, and a visiting professor at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers in Paris. He is currently working with the American Petroleum Institute on energy demand trends. Almost every neighborhood boasts a "Clark Griswold" draping strands of lights across his home, sometimes leaving the lights on overnight.

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