It is disturbing when “old thinking” tries to nullify the serious, hard-working efforts of citizens trying to make a difference.

I refer to Dee DuMont’s recent tirade (“Dependable power must be top priority,” Dec. 25) in all the local papers regarding dependable power on Bainbridge.

She believes PSE should be encouraged to spend approximately $6 million (paid by us) on a new substation, to provide additional power on the very few days (around four) each winter that our demand comes close to exceeding our capacity by about two hours between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.

That doesn’t make much sense.

She misses the point entirely! This has nothing to do with the “comprehensive plan,” “snow birds” or PSE having an “evil plan perpetuated by the greedy new owners.”

It has to do with whether we can use energy more wisely and efficiently to save money and energy.

Presently, the average island home uses 7,000 kw/h., more than the average home in PSE’s jurisdiction – 100 cities and 11 counties.

This is because our homes were built before 1980 when simple energy-saving measures were not the standard. Retrofitting these homes would result in savings to the homeowner and reduce the island’s energy load – a win-win situation for all.

Forward-thinking people, led by Joe Deets and Councilor Hilary Franz, helped organize the Community Energy Task Force, with PSE’s involvement, to seek alternatives to building more substations.

A number of these solutions are already being implemented with great support from the community. For example, PSE is investing in pilot programs to reduce our electrical demand.

This involves 700 volunteer homeowners in a reduction in water and space-heating electricity loads reduction during those few hours and few days each year when electrical demand is nearing the island’s peak load capacity.

This will result in more efficiency and reduce the need for new, costly infrastructure in the future, saving us all money.

These energy saving measures do not require residents to give up something as DuMont’s letter suggested.

Instead, they will benefit the entire community by way of more comfort in our homes and businesses, and more money in our wallets.

Please Ms. DuMont, we are all part of the problem.

Let’s applaud, not criticize, those few among us that are willing to seek and find good solutions.

Bob L. Burkholder

Madison Avenue