Personal responsibility needed to conserve energy 81 TIM HANSON
Pren Staff Writer An ever-increasing awareness by American cltlzena of the world's energy crisis may help them deal with almost certain fuel shortages in the future, a Waahln1¡ ton State Energy Office offical Monday said. WSEO Field Representative Linda Bond said there has been a perceptible change in the attitudes of Americans over recent years. In the past, the word " energy" has been defined as "ability to work." Now, however, it has taken on an entirely different meaning. In 1973, when long lines at gasoline stations began appearing around the country, many Americans believed the fuel shortage to be contrived by major oil companies. 'Ibey Linda Bond refused to recognize any significant problem with the availability of energy. Today, according to Bond, things are different. People are aware that there is an energy problem, she said. "There has been a gradual recognition of tbe
importance of energy," Bond told a gathering of students at North Idaho College. "Interest bas In¡ creased among people oo such things as wood for fuel and sheltered housing. People are seriously considering the production of gasahol." Bond said people need to take some sort of personal responsibility in dealing with energy proplems energy conservation included. "'Ibere is a gut feeling by those of us who work in energy that we will have problems," she said. "But interst by people has given me a different feeling. Over the last few months, I have been feeling good about people getting involved In our energy lives. And I feel confident about that now."
Bond's job as field representative involves visiting colleges and other groups of people and trying to bring them up to date with what ls going on with the department of energy. In spite of some distrust of energy officials Bond insists that her department is "dedicated to the idea of renewable resources and conservation." She said she is " thrilled" with the idea of gasahol and believes other forms of energy such as methane and solar should receive serious consideration as well. "'Ibere is no reason to think that solar power will not work just because there are clouds or snow " she said. " Don' t let anyone tell you solar won•t' work because it will work and it does."