Question Earthority!

“California residents and businesses turned off lights, air conditioners and machinery Thursday to help the state weather an electricity shortage caused by soaring temperatures and high demand. The state’s largest energy consumers had been notified that they might have to go dark to help prevent blackouts, but the mandatory interruptions at industrial, commercial and retail businesses were not needed. ‘Residents really responded and we want to thank them,’ said Stephanie McCorkle, spokeswoman for the California Independent System Operator. ‘The conservation we saw today from Californians saved the equivalent of a large power plant.’ It appeared earlier in the day that energy demand might approach the state’s all-time record, but the state’s power usage peaked at 47,843 megawatts, well below the predicted peak of 49,105 megawatts.” (08/31/07)