Energy in the News

You have to wonder if your electric utility really wants to help you save energy; after all, how many companies expend a lot of effort persuading people to use less of their products?

But whether out of regulatory obligation, enlightened self-interest or true benevolence, the Triangle's two largest utilities freely offer advice for saving energy.

Progress Energy is introducing a "Save the Watts" campaign to share energy-efficiency tips with customers. The Save the Watts Web site (www.savethewatts.com) has new information available for North Carolina customers, including 100 ways to save energy and a link to the company's free online Home Energy Check. Progress Energy will fully launch the campaign -- with a revamped, interactive Web site -- in September.

Duke Energy customers can find all sorts of energy-saving ideas on the company's Web site, www.duke-energy.com. There are separate pages of energy-saving tips for summer and winter and for homeowners and renters.

If you have a tip for the week, let us know at share.triangle.com, contact editor Richard Stradling at 829-4739 or richard.stradling@newsobserver.com, or send it to The N&O, 215 S. McDowell St., Raleigh, N.C. 27602.