[nostromo]

This is very true.

In Seattle, the local utility raised rates too aggressively, which caused many people to conserve more energy or switch to gas for heating. Then, the utility had to raise rates again to make up for falling revenue. This, obviously, will cause further conservation by consumers.

This is the start of a death cycle.

http://mynorthwest.com/647139/seattle-city-light-lost-revenu...

It's sad from an environmental standpoint, because in Seattle most of our power is hydro, which is much better for the environment than natural gas -- but that's what people are moving to.