Without a change in subsidies, credits, programs, incentives, and disincentives, I don't expect that a sufficient number of people will cut their energy use. I expect that if we continue business as usual and make no changes in government policies, including efficiency standards, that we will continue to build more coal plants and that global warming will get out of control. I am not extrapolating based upon my own personal decision to save energy; I am extrapolating based on a radical change in government policy. There are lot of things that can be done before we actually talk about forcing people to make changes.

No one forced Coloradans, for example, to mandate a renewable portfolio standard. This was initially approved by the voters and then expanded by their elected representatives. There has not been a negative political fallout. This will lower the requirements for coal fired power plants.

No one forced the people in Boulder, Co. to approve a carbon tax.

It may very well be that the people in Ohio have a very different attitude; regardless, those concerned about this situation should do everything in their power to educate, to lead, and to effect change on the local, state, and federal level. The people may be ready for a lot of changes that they are not given credit for.

The EPA decision is an opportunity. Now is the opportunity to carve out a complex of policy decisions based upon the assumption that we will not have additional coal plants going forward.

Do light bulbs count as appliances? I'm sure the folk can afford CFL's - which will reduce your lighting wattage by 75%.