Who is supposed to be doing the energy conservation to save the planet and reduce dependence on foreign oil? Aren’t we all in this together? The media are full of tips for individual consumers: yes, I have changed to fluorescent bulbs, put the TV and DVD on a switched power bar, and I putter along at 55 mph on the interstate. But how about the really big consumers?

I was appalled to enter Sears last week and find 50 large TVs, all aglow with the same picture, and not a soul in the sales room. At Best Buy, same thing, another 30, and at Sam’s Club another few dozen, no one there looking at them but they were all blazing away. This mindless waste goes on 12 hours a day, seven days a week, multiplied by thousands of stores across the state and the country. Unless such stores have a rooftop of solar voltaic collectors or a windmill, they are flaunting the need for energy conservation.

If they want to keep consumer confidence, as well as morale, big business must set an example. For starters, the electric companies could charge the big users more, not less, for power consumed during daylight hours. Nothing would be quicker to get their attention.

When I do turn in my TV for another, it will be at a store with only one operating set on display, with a motion detector switch. All eco-conscious consumers are free to join my boycott.

Ann R. Kendall

Dexter