Keys Energy Going Green?

It was interesting to read the PR piece in Saturday's Citizen (6-28-07) by Julio J. Barroso, Communications and Marketing Coordinator for Keys Energy Services. He makes some good points in terms of what the energy company is going to do to help address the environmental impact created when electricity is produced. Particularly interesting were his comments about the increased efficiency to be gained in electric transformer conversion and the use of LEDs. He notes that while the initial cost of such conversions are "higher than conventional replacements," the increased "life expectancy and efficiency of such units quickly pay back on initial investments." Translation: they are cheaper to operate and Key's energy can make more money.

Now what we'd like to see is some of that cost savings passed back to the consumer. What do you want to bet that as it "grows green" Keys Energy will be trying to -- heck, they will -- raise rates. But wouldn't it be nice when, as Barroso claims, "such units quickly pay back on initial investments" for Keys Energy customers to see some of that savings in the form of cold cash or a reduction in those rates that were increased?

Of course, we weren't born under a clam shell, and you know too that the likelihood of seeing any refund or rate reduction of that kind is slim to none. And that is what makes us wary of the kind of PR efforts reflected in the Barroso article. However, we can still hope that maybe one day there will emerge a company where the words used to talk to the public don't have to be described as PR. If we see it, you'll be the first to know.