2006年VOA标准英语-California Rolls Out Energy Saving Measures

By George Dwyer
Washington, DC
25 July 2006
 
watch California Energy report

California is facing a power emergency in the wake of record high temperatures. Air conditioning units across the state are set on "high" and consumers are being urged to conserve¹ electricity by curbing² non-essential use.

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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa  
  
The new "L.E.D." traffic signals being installed in Los Angeles, California will save the city millions of dollars in energy costs, says Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

"It has been proven that L.E.D. modules³ consume 90 percent less energy than regular bulbs."

L.E.D.'s -- or, light-emitting diodes -- are more efficient than today's incandescent⁴ bulbs because they shed less heat. The city is spending $4 million to begin replacing lights at all 4,600 of its intersections⁵. It will take five years, but is expected to save $2.2 million per year. Conserving⁶ electricity has become a critical issue in California this month with record electrical use in the wake of record high temperatures.

Mayor Villaraigosa adds, "With the current heat wave upon us the conservation of energy is very important. I want to encourage all of the residences of the city of Los Angeles to cut their energy and electricity usage."

Another way California is attempting to save electricity is by alerting consumers to the presence of so-called "energy vampires⁷" in their homes. Nearly everything plugged into a wall socket⁸ -- from toasters to cell phone chargers -- drains away about two dollars worth of "standby" power each year. California Assemblyman Lloyd Levine says it adds up to huge savings⁹.

With about 20 energy draining devices in the average American home -- and about 125 million households nationwide -- up to $5 billion in energy per year is being wasted. Levine wants to see electronic devices labeled so consumers will know before buying them how much energy the products burn when in standby mode.

The American Electronics Association opposes the labeling plan, saying it has a better idea. "We feel it's better to educate and to tell consumers that when something is plugged in, even if it's used or not being used, it's sucking energy" said spokesman Joe Gregorich.

And that also shows up on the utility bill.

1 conserve   

vt.保存，保护，节约，节省，守恒，不灭

参考例句：

• He writes on both sides of the sheet to conserve paper.他在纸张的两面都写字以节省用纸。
• Conserve your energy,you'll need it!保存你的精力，你会用得着的！

2 curbing   

n.边石，边石的材料v.限制，克制，抑制( curb的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Progress has been made in curbing inflation. 在控制通货膨胀方面已取得了进展。
• A range of policies have been introduced aimed at curbing inflation. 为了抑制通货膨胀实施了一系列的政策。

3 modules   

n.模块( module的名词复数 )；单元；（宇宙飞船上各个独立的）舱；组件

参考例句：

• The course consists of ten core modules and five optional modules. 这门课程包括十个必修单元和五个选修单元。
• Our English course is divided into modules on poetry, drama, and novels. 我们的英语课分为诗歌、戏剧和小说等单元。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 incandescent   

adj.遇热发光的， 白炽的，感情强烈的

参考例句：

• The incandescent lamp we use in daily life was invented by Edison.我们日常生活中用的白炽灯，是爱迪生发明的。
• The incandescent quality of his words illuminated the courage of his countrymen.他炽热的语言点燃了他本国同胞的勇气。

5 intersections   

n.横断( intersection的名词复数 )；交叉；交叉点；交集

参考例句：

• Traffic lights have been placed at all major intersections. 所有重要的交叉路口都安装了交通信号灯。
• Intersections are of the greatest importance in highway design. 在道路设计中，交叉口占有最重要的地位。 来自辞典例句

6 conserving   

v.保护，保藏，保存( conserve的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Contour planning with or without terracing is effective in conserving both soil and moisture. 顺等高线栽植，无论做或不做梯田对于保持水土都能有效。 来自辞典例句
• Economic savings, consistent with a conserving society and the public philosophy. 经济节约，符合创建节约型社会的公共理念。 来自互联网

7 vampires   

n.吸血鬼( vampire的名词复数 )；吸血蝠；高利贷者；（舞台上的）活板门

参考例句：

• The most effective weapon against the vampires is avampire itself. 对付吸血鬼最有效的武器就是吸血鬼自己。 来自电影对白
• If vampires existed, don`t you think we would`ve found them by now? 如果真有吸血鬼，那我们怎么还没有找到他们呢？ 来自电影对白

8 socket   

n.窝，穴，孔，插座，插口

参考例句：

• He put the electric plug into the socket.他把电插头插入插座。
• The battery charger plugs into any mains socket.这个电池充电器可以插入任何类型的电源插座。

9 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。