Power crunch evokes memories of the ’70s

Say "Seventies" and people think of flippy Farrah hairdos and dreadful disco tunes. We survived those indignities and also some real hardships. We waited in lines to buy gasoline on odd or even days. We bundled up, weatherstripped and learned to keep the speedometer at 55.

While the Bee Gees were in our ears, energy was on our minds, from the Arab nations’ 1973 ban on oil exports to the United States to the 1979 accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor.

One frigid December in that decade of malaise, the powers that be told us to turn off Christmas lights. At the time, my dad was an executive at the Washington Water Power Co., the Spokane utility now called Avista Corp.

As I write this, my parents’ house is lit up by white lights on two evergreens planted in pots on both sides of their front door. Those tiny lights were the sticking point of their ’70s spat.

My dad wanted them turned off, although he admitted they used precious little power. Like it or not, he had to set an energy-saving example. I seem to recall my mom using the word "ridiculous."

For a few days, the trees went dark. But when neighbors’ homes started looking like Snoopy’s doghouse in "A Charlie Brown Christmas," our trees were switched back on.

I was reminded of this on Friday when Gov. Gary Locke, anticipating deep cold and worried about tight energy supplies, asked us to conserve as much electricity and natural gas as possible.

Locke suggested we only turn on holiday lights from 8 p.m. till bedtime; turn heaters down to 66 degrees and wear sweaters; use microwave rather than conventional ovens; use one appliance at a time; and use as little electricity as possible during the peak hours of 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.

If you drove past my house last weekend, you know I proved myself to be more my mother’s child than my father’s. The trees on my porch stayed on. So did the crazy blue lights my staple-gunning kids put up against their mom’s will.

By mid-December, we’re down to eight hours of daylight. That’s 16 hours of darkness. I’d be as blue as my tacky Christmas lights if I had to turn them off. Even my latest Snohomish County PUD bill suggests lights aren’t a big deal.

In homes using electric heat, which I don’t have, heating gobbles half the energy used, according to the PUD’s Current Events newsletter. Twenty-five percent of electricity goes toward water heating, followed by refrigeration, cooking, clothes drying and lighting.

I’ll try to conserve in other ways, but my Christmas lights stay. It was better than hearing from a reformed Scrooge on Christmas morning when I read Wednesday that the Northwest Power Planning Council’s John Harrison said: "Christmas lights are not a problem. Go ahead and use them."

I have news for Mr. Harrison. I’m baking cookies in my gas oven, too, and roasting a turkey on Christmas Day.

And all that business about peak hours? They’re the only hours many of us have to cook, bathe, do our families’ laundry and catch up on TV news. I have enough to feel guilty about without fretting over the shower I take before going to the office.

That said, though, this power hog will have to change her ways. A 33 percent rate increase from the PUD and increased natural gas costs can be pretty persuasive.

I guess I’ll turn into my father after all, following kids around the house switching off lights, radios, TV’s and the computer.

So we have a new man for the White House. It’s feeling an awful lot like the Jimmy Carter ’70s.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.