Surfergeeks

Wow, how many posts in how many days???

So, today’s rant comes to you courtesy of Toronto Hydro. A report in today’s London Free Press, clicky, states that 44% of my neighbours would happily snitch on me for “not conserving energy”.

Okay, let me state for the record, that would NEVER be a problem. I would be willing to bet that the only house on my block that uses less hydro than ours would be the one that has had their hydro cut off for non-payment. Maybe an empty house too – maybe.

For the sake of argument, let’s suppose I did like to run my 10 air conditioners 24 hours a day. Who gives my neighbours the right to think that they can judge me? Snitch on me? It’s not like I’m running a grow-op here. I pay my hydro bill on time every month. If I want to use 4378KWH in one month as opposed to the normal 380 or so that we normally use then as long as I pay for it no one can stop me.

Now, Toronto Hydro states they have no intention of setting up a “snitch line” they just did this study to gauge public reaction. If you believe that, send me an email, I’ve got some prime land to sell you in Florida and a couple bridges I’m looking to unload. Companies just don’t do studies for the “fun of it” or to “gauge public reaction” unless they’re thinking about doing it.

Please, please, please! Do not misunderstand me. I’m all for conserving energy. I’m cheap. I’m gonna conserve. But to think that hydro companies feel that they can FORCE conservation or COERCE conservation because THEY can’t produce enough power makes me angry.

Jason, Nic, & I were talking about power production last weekend. He and I seemed to *slightly* disagree (although I may have misinterpreted). I think it’s perfectly fine to encourage the province to conserve energy. There is nothing wrong with this. Far too many people are wasting outrageous amounts of hydro. But to even consider doing the above would be far overstepping the boundary of acceptability.

Mark my words: if London Hydro considers this (snitch line) I will be one of the first in line at public meetings (provided they actually have a public meeting. LH has this nasty habit of holding most meetings in camera) to protest – even though it would never apply to me.

Please, comment at will. Let me know what you think about the idea of a snitch line. Backup your thoughts with some reasons.

[EDIT]Just thinking more about this. If the governement and hydro companies REALLY want us conserve energy then they will work together to offer tax cuts and rebates for the installation of so-called “green” energy generation products for the home such as solar panels and wind turbines. I would absolutely love to be able to put up a wind turbine and generate most of my own power – perhaps even provide some power into the grid!