over the world as billions of people by Wendell Cox (NAPSA)—Whatdo 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 aspire to live as well as we do. For the 1.6 billion people living with- out access to electricity in their homes, rising energy demandisn’t a problem—it’s a solution. Meeting Future Energy Needs Nonetheless, it’s important to 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 makethe holidays so jl CHT 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, transporta- tion 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 meetsthe road. In the coming months, the United States may see an almost 20 percent increase in energy boasts a “Clark Griswold” drap- iday lights use 10 percent of the energy of mini lights. Similarly, home, sometimes leaving the lights on overnight. setting for appliances, cars and high-tech gadgets, U.S. energy your tree. Even in these uncertain economic times, electronics purchases are projected to rise 3.5 years. Not to mention the growth of alternative energy sources, Almost every neighborhood ing strands of lights across his percent during the holiday season compared to a year ago. TV sales are expected to be particularly high as people prepare for the dryers. And that’s just inside the nationwide conversion to digital television next February. In fact, by 2010, America is expected to have moretelevisions 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. consumerelec- Holiday lights are one of the was produced by all the wind- demand. Just think of every holiday celebration you attend—ovens and other kitchen appliances working overtime, not to mention dishwashers, clothes washers and house. largest consumers of energy, and these festive displays tend to get bigger and go up earlier each year. Just 10 strandslit 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 Christmastree 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 be mindful of our energy consumption. The good newsis we’ve made great strides in energy efficiency and conservation here at home. For example, new LED hol- tronics used moreelectricity than mills, solar panels and biomass- to-electricity plants in America that year. Necessities, Not Luxuries The fact is that energy-consum- ing lights, appliances and gadgets have become necessities in our everyday lives, not luxuries, 365 days a year. The result is an ever- growing demandfor energy. While some peoplesee this as a problem, it’s actually a tremendoussign of progress. As energy consumption increases, the standard of living in the United States also rises. We’re seeing similar trends all through updates and standardintensity has fallen by a little more than half over the last 50 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 promoteall 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/Demand inPerspective. Wendell Cox is principal of Demographia, an international public policy firm, and a visiting professor at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Mtiers in Paris. He is currently working with the American Petroleum Institute on energy demandtrends.
