On advertising energy conservation

There are many reasons to conserve energy, whether it be electricity or gasoline. Both use oil which is a finite, non-easily-renewed energy source.

A barrel of crude oil is approaching $100, so energy from petroleum sources is expensive. And highly profitable.

Why does HECO, our local energy company, advertise energy conservation? They sell energy. But they spend money to advertise energy conservation. Why do they want their customers to use less of the product they sell?

I can understand why the government forces tobacco companies to spend money advertising against the very product they sell. It’s in the public interest because the diseases caused by tobacco products harm people, and often the public has to pay the price in increased insurance, higher taxes and premiums, and so on.

If we use less energy, as supplied by HECO, their revenue will drop, their profits will drop. So, how is energy conservation a good thing for HECO?

I suspect that energy conservation is not a good thing for HECO, especially if such conservation becomes widespread and effective, and actually causes lower revenue and profits, which, from what I can tell has never been the case. Therefore, it is easy to conclude that the advertising HECO does to promote conservation is lip service to make them appear as if they’re a responsible public service organization.