Abstract
During the 1970's, scarcities in the supply of the raw materials needed to produce electrical energy developed for the first time in the United States. This new situation was commonly referred to as the "energy crisis." Because neither SMUD management nor a majority of the members of the Board of Directors seemed willing to reassess SMUD goals in light of the recent changes in energy supplies, a way had to be found to bring about a change in policy through external political pressure. This project is the result of research conducted during a Public Administration internship (1977-1978) with the Conservation Department at SMUD. Additional information for the project was gathered by the author while administering a $5,000 grant awarded to the League of Women Voters by the SMTJD Board of Directors in 1979. The grant was awarded to the League for the purpose of conducting a study of the utility's rate standards so that SMUD could meet the public involvement requirements of the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA). This project concludes that the energy crisis is really a political problem, and that solution of the technological problems associated with energy must await the resolution of political issues. It is also argued that conservation is an extremely important component of any utility management plan, and that the rates charged for electricity are vital to the success of a conservation program.