DISQUS

I had to attend one such training sesson at a major California utility company when I worked there.

Near the end I stood up and pointed out that the bulk of the topics were highly political in nature and in effect were political re-education classes on the ratepayers' nickel. I wondered out loud if a Republican assemblyman would approve of the lessons.

My fellow employees applauded and that was the end of the sessions.

I'd want to know what Fred knows about energy. His campaign literature on the subject is uncharacteristically vague and full of platitudes. I'm in the energy business and I think this is a VERY serious issue. The recent Energy Bill was little help and maybe a sep backwards.

Excellent post and so correct.

While the point about our brave military people is the most important part, I'd like to put in a good word for the people who make and deliver your electricity. As I tell my children when I catch them leaving a light on, if they knew how much work it took to make kilowatts they'd think twice before wasting it.

Of course, I've working in the electric utility business in one way or another all my adult life but I'm always inspired by our people who will work rotating shifts in hot, boring power plants, the meter readers who brave mad dogs on their rounds, and the line men who'll climb a power pole amongst hot wires in wind, rain, snow, or sleet to get the juice back on as quickly as possible.

One thing that makes it all possible and worthwhile is the knowledge that every neighbor is a customer. People depend on us, especially when the power is out from hurricane, earthquake, or blizzard. While we catch hell if the lights go out, a stick, it is the carrot of appreciation that makes it more than a job.