Rolling black outs, increasing power rates, closed aluminum plants, lay-offs, droughts, environmental damage. A depressing image, I know, but a reality for many already, and soon to be for many more of us if something isn’t done about the energy crisis in the Pacific Northwest. This crisis, which has loomed threateningly overhead for the last several months, and has had enormous impact on our neighbors in California, continues to worsen. The energy crisis is not limited to demographics or location — everyone in the Pacific Northwest is faced with its impact. We are facing a power supply challenge that is unprecedented in our history.

Many Pacific Northwest residents don’t understand how this crisis has gotten so out of control and others still don’t realize the impact it can, and will have, if necessary steps are not taken by everyone. The region’s power supply has become significantly reduced due to several conditions, including low stream flow and snow pack conditions which have reduced the amount of hydro power generation available in the region. Additionally, Northwest generating resources have not kept up with increased demands, and increased competition for natural-gas supplies has caused our normally low gas prices to skyrocket. Lastly, at a time when the Pacific Northwest normally relies on California for winter-surplus energy, they are experiencing a lack of resources — and an energy crisis more severe than our own — at least for the moment.

So, what can you do? Everyone has probably heard about the numerous ways you can conserve energy in your home. Well, it’s time to really start paying attention. There are some great Web sites you can go to-to get energy saving tips, such as www.pugetsoundenergy.com, www.nwalliance.org and www.portlandgeneral.com and www.energystar.gov.

Many of these Web sites have links to other resourceful sites, as well. Regardless of where you get your information, you’ll find some common recommendations, some of which include: turning down your thermostat (one degree can save 7 percent energy use), turning off unused lights, sealing cracks and gaps around doors and windows, turning down your hot water heater, clean your furnace filter, unplug all unused appliances, close your fireplace damper when not in use, and use major appliances during off peak hours (peak hours are defined as being between 6 a.m.-10 a.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m..).

Many people believe that they have to take cold showers, sit in the dark and turn off their heaters in order to save energy, but this simply isn’t the case. Very little effort can add up to enormous savings — for you and for everyone effected by the power crisis.

One of the greatest long-term investments that you can make in the effort to conserve energy, is to invest in products that are Energy Star® qualified. What is Energy Star? You’ve all probably seen the logo, but many people do not know what it actually represents. Energy Star is a product label created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to help consumers identify products that save both money and energy without sacrificing performance or quality. The Federal government defines minimum standards for energy consumption for many consumer products, but for one of those items to receive an Energy Star rating, it must exceed the minimum Federal standards.

Energy Star® puts its stamp of approval on many different types of products. The first, and most common, are light bulbs and lighting fixtures. Known as a CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps), these Energy Star approved light bulbs can last up to 7 years (10,000 hours), which is 10 times longer than most incandescent, or traditional light bulbs. They’re slightly more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but use 75 percent less energy and don’t have to be replaced nearly as often — so you save money in the long run. Additionally, Energy Star clothes washers use about 40 percent less water and 60 percent less energy, which over the process of a year saves more water than you’ll drink in a lifetime, and can reduce your power bill by up to $100. Energy Star refrigerators use 40 percent less energy and their dishwashers use six less gallons of water per load than washing by hand. Add up the numbers and the savings are significant, both in dollars and energy.

What it comes down to in the end is that we all have a certain responsibility. Saving energy in your own home helps to reduce the demand on local resources, which could ultimately lead to a decline in escalating rates. For more information about energy conservation and Energy Star®, visit www.energystar.gov, or call 1-888-STAR-YES.

(Editor’s Note: J. Lennox Scott is the president of John L. Scott Real Estate. You can visit his web site at www.johnlscott.com.).