Why Are Eight Million Australians Urged To Turn Off Their Lights?


Australia’s energy minister has urged households in New South Wales, a state that includes the country’s biggest city Sydney, to switch off their lights in the face of an energy crisis. It has been advised that people should not use electricity for two hours every evening if they “have a choice”. He has also added that he was confident that blackouts could be avoided. It comes after Australia’s main wholesale electricity market was suspended because of a surge in prices. What are your thoughts LiveTribers? Why are eight million Australians urged to turn off their lights?

Posted by on 19 Jul 2022

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  • [0] [1]
    Isabella

    Save money and power, better for the environment and better for the wallet the more we can turn of powerpoints and appliances when not in use. really does make a big difference to the power bill

    Posted by Isabella on 24 Aug 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    Brett

    Because both Liberal and Labor governments are shutting down coal fired power stations in the belief they will get more votes for going green. Renewable enrgy has its place but will never supply base load power, thats why have an energy shortage. Takes more enrgy to make solar and wind turbines thjan they ever produce and they are all made in China, insane.Have a sensable mix of reneable, coal and gas, but this will never happen owing to green evangelists that think they are saving the planet, they are not.They all want us to go back to living in caves.

    Posted by Brett on 18 Aug 2022
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  • [0] [1]
    richardli

    because living cost is higher and higer

    Posted by richardli on 16 Aug 2022
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  • [0] [1]
    Narelle

    Because our leaders have messed everything up. Housing, energy, healthy food all short and priced out of reach of ordinary Aussies. Meanwhile rich get richer. Is it on purpose?

    Posted by Narelle on 08 Aug 2022
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  • [0] [1]
    June

    Another brainless comment from the Coalition. It is easier to say than done in WINTER. And those who recklessly said idiot things are typically not affected by any energy crisis while they created the crisis. Why doesn't NSW impose exports limit? Or why don't they stop creating further climate change crisis to begin with? Reason is the Coalition is irresponsibly greedy.

    Posted by June on 08 Aug 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    Robert

    Get to it and build new power stations to supply our needs.When we are all driving EV's will we all sit in the dark to have the power to use them. Perhapas build a hydro plant with all the flood waters Professor Flannery said would never happen Green B/S.

    Posted by Robert on 06 Aug 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    June

    Those who have EVs will pay extra high electricity bills while not necessarily helping the environment. Why? You don't have the real green electricity. It is same wool from the same sheep-fossils. Gd luck!

    Posted by June on 08 Aug 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Ferrari

    Just more scare-mongering! Like this climate and environment rubbish! By the way.......I'm still waiting for the Planet to blow up because of the " Massive hole in the Ozone Layer" garbage from a few decades ago!!!!

    Posted by Ferrari on 06 Aug 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Ay

    I think it’s energy saving and sustainable

    Posted by Ay on 06 Aug 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Mr

    Lights off...sacrifice for the good of community? Probably the result of poor planning, lack of foresight by energy suppliers.

    Posted by Mr on 06 Aug 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Paul

    it saves money and is good for the environment too.

    Posted by Paul on 01 Aug 2022
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  • [2] [0]
    coaster

    Because all these energy companies have just taken all the profit and not put anything much back into the system. Privatising was the worse thing the government did to many of these companies. I turn off lights etc. I am not using all the time.

    Posted by coaster on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [1]
    Ann

    A short age of gas to turn the turbines to make electricity is causing a shortage or electricity. Very had not to turn on the heaters in this cold weather

    Posted by Ann on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [1]
    Spiderwoman

    It is the result of the failure to plan and execute the required transition to renewable energy until the 11th hour. Would it be more effective to turn off the television rather than the lights?

    Posted by Spiderwoman on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [3] [0]
    Windog

    Because former governments privatised the energy sector and refused to do anything about phasing out coal and gas powered electricity generation while encoraging the development of renewable energy we are now at the mercy of greedy capitalistic enterprises that are unable to meet the needs of consumers and are free to charge astronomical wholesale prices to maintain their exorbitant profits. consequently the paper tiger Energy Market Operator has been forced to suspend the wholesale market, and blackouts will occur as generators simply reduce their energy generation, while smaller energy retailers go out of business.

    Posted by Windog on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [2] [0]
    Mahala

    I think in general we should try to conserve energy and power where possible, but it would be difficult for many households, particularly in the evening time. Would be interesting to see how much would be saved ($’s) by doing this everyday for a month/quarter.

    Posted by Mahala on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    Paula

    As this is 2022 and I have solar panels and run most of my appliances during the day I refuse to turn off my lights. It's the Governments responsibility to ensure we have enough power to enable us to live like a first world country and not somewhere in the third world.

    Posted by Paula on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Adam

    Saves energy and reduces expenses overall, why not :shrug:

    Posted by Adam on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    Julie

    If everyone in NSW turns their lights off for two hours then the government can still get paid their enormous salaries and bonuses while the "little people" do their bit.

    Posted by Julie on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    tutti_cutie

    Saving money is always a good thing where you can. Better than running out of electricity when you truly need it

    Posted by tutti_cutie on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    celt1234

    It is one way to save some money on your energy bill.

    Posted by celt1234 on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Maryam

    I think it’s one way of saving energy and there is at least no harm in trying if not everyday then at least some of the day it can be done.

    Posted by Maryam on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    Sue

    To help nsw in it's energy crisis. This is the sort of thing we had to put up with on a regular basis as children in the 60s. I thought we'd moved past that.

    Posted by Sue on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [2] [0]
    Paula

    So did I so I'm refusing to comply.

    Posted by Paula on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Swampy

    To try and save on a little bit off the power bill

    Posted by Swampy on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    kkkkt

    People need to be more energy conscious. This benefits not only their own household, but communities, cities and entire nations.

    Posted by kkkkt on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Ana

    Well it's one way to reduce the power bill...

    Posted by Ana on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Jennifer

    It’s power saving plus you don’t need the light when your sleeping

    Posted by Jennifer on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Jannette

    Some people do need their light while sleeping.

    Posted by Jannette on 23 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    H J

    I would like to see all the building in cites turn the lights off at night. At the very least we would would be saving electricity. And as we all know - every little bit helps!

    Posted by H J on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [1]
    Shell

    Definitely a good idea to get people to pay more attention to how much electricity they use.

    Posted by Shell on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    allandiana

    We very rarely have more than one very energy efficient light on in the evenings so think we are doing our bit. Overall it is a good idea to get people thinking whether they actually need so many lights on and to reduce if possible.

    Posted by allandiana on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Lannb

    i think its a good idea and that we need to get used to using less electricity and gas to prevent those in need from going without during a black out.

    Posted by Lannb on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Lucia

    We are being urged to turn our lights off to help a crisis even though we export energy.. however I do believe as a nation we have become complacent and misuse energy! We should def be turning off lights and power points we don't need!

    Posted by Lucia on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    Ay

    My lights are always on,I rarely turn them off

    Posted by Ay on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    dizee06

    I only use a lamp at night except in the kitchen, as for heating it's more clothes and blankets and a hot water bottle for bed. So I try to not waste energy if I can help it

    Posted by dizee06 on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [2] [0]
    OpalOne

    How sad. This must be one of worst man made issues we have faced in my lifetime. I remember electricity shortages in the 1970s. They in part lack of infrastructure planning and physical limitations of available technology. These problems no longer exist. We have the know how, the ability raw materials and workforce. What don't have is strong political leaders willing or able to make decisions to take Australia forward. Instead we we have weak, want to please everyone and particularly the minorities in the hope of one more vote. Trying to please everyone results in pleasing nobody. I have two properties, one in NSW and the other in Qld. Both have PV Solar Systems. I produce around six times as much power as I use. For this I pay connection fees and Meter service fees, in return I am paid a pittance for the power I supply. Our issue is not the ability to generate power but the political will. Phasing fossil fuels out is OK but process is wrong. There is no baseload available yet to replace coal, it will come. I was involved with the White Cliffs Solar Project. Part of that ground breaking solar thermal project was the ability to provide electricity by Hybrid steam generation. A mix of Solar and fuel oil. Today on a large scale fuel oil would be replaced by coal and or gas.

    Posted by OpalOne on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    SagoLeo

    I wish people would turn the lights off. I try to limit the amount of lights to 1 in the room that I'm in. I notice a lot of people in my unit block leave the lights on all night when they do not appear to be using it. How do they sleep? How does nature sleep with all the lights on? Even when a switch is available in the common areas say like a communal laundry, people leave the lights on when they leave. DUMB

    Posted by SagoLeo on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    ShantelleElkerton

    I don’t live in NSW so my lights are definitely staying on.

    Posted by ShantelleElkerton on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Jenni

    I don't think its a bad idea. We need to be more realistic with our use of resources and I think without looking at ways to reduce our usage there will be more blackouts etc. In saying that I would have our lights out for longer than two hours every night - I turn them all out when I go to bed!

    Posted by Jenni on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    3jays

    Once the government privatised the energy generation the supply market prices have continued to increase and the energy companies are not really passing on any significant prices to consumers. We really have to look for alternative ways for heating and cooling. Not selling our gas to overseas, look after Australia first. We have installed solar heating, power savers and turn off anything not necessary and our energy bill is still high. We are trying to do our bit. The government needs to regulate more and not just give our monetary handouts occasionally.

    Posted by 3jays on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    JunieM

    My husband always tells me to wear more clothes instead of turning on the heating

    Posted by JunieM on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Lionlamb

    I always try to conserve electricity, both for environmental reasons and my wallet. It is reaching crisis point and I talk to others about ways to save electricity

    Posted by Lionlamb on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Samanthadavey

    Energy prices are getting too expensive. I haven't turned my heater on at all this winter, I've just been layering up

    Posted by Samanthadavey on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Alex!20

    It also asked consumers in New South Wales to "temporarily reduce their energy usage".

    Posted by Alex!20 on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Vie88

    Turning things off at the PowerPoint if not in use saves 25% of electricity. Electrical appliances at stand by status uses 25% of electricity.

    Posted by Vie88 on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [1]
    Oldbrains

    Previous governments had the opportunity to switch to renewals a long time ago. With enough wind farms you get redundancy and power in reserve. Solar, tidal and hydro are all additional options

    Posted by Oldbrains on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Annie

    I turn things off at the PowerPoint if not using them. Things ain’t looking good for the Aussie battler lately

    Posted by Annie on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Turbotom

    Think things are going pretty bad if this is needed. Not sure why all of a sudden there is an energy shortage when we are rich in minerals etc

    Posted by Turbotom on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    mcalvo

    I agree we need to conservce/save energy but for 2 hours every night would be quite difficult for most households. When people are at work during the day we need to make sure that all NON essential power points are not on. I only have the fridge on. Everything else is off as Im not home its not needed.

    Posted by mcalvo on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    sharon

    Saving energy is important for the planet and for household finances. However ever since the government privatised the energy generation and supply market prices have continued to increase and the energy companies care only about profits, for them it is a matter of basic economics; ie supply and demand, the tighter the supply and the higher the demand the greater the price. It is the fault of the government that we are in this predicament, privatising essential services never leads to lower prices but always leads to supply crisis.

    Posted by sharon on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    Irelle

    I believe the government isn’t or has been prepared for this shortage and think the government has a lot to answer for it. I believe that a lot of buildings in the cities lights are left on so why. Why should we the common people suffer for their doings. Families are together at night and needs to sit and do things together at night.. Candle burning would be dangerous and could cause fire.

    Posted by Irelle on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Tab

    People have to live, kids have to be entertained and do homework. Its great to try and reduce energy use but it also hs to be realistic, its not going to happen every day.

    Posted by Tab on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    Busy Bee

    Even when there's no energy crisis, it is wise to turn off whatever electrical items and lights when not in use.

    Posted by Busy Bee on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    arlie

    It makes sense to turn off appliances and lights that are not in use to save money. But that doesn't excuse Governments from the responsibility of providing affordable, reliable energy to its citizens.

    Posted by arlie on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    Misshell

    It doesn't fix the root cause of the problem. If people are paying a daily charge for access to electricity they should be able to use it how they like.

    Posted by Misshell on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    Lynn

    i think its important to keep lights off when not in use

    Posted by Lynn on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [3] [0]
    Sandra

    Be power wise..for sure. However once again the consumer suffers at the hand of government short-sightedness and inaction........

    Posted by Sandra on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    Brian

    Turning lights off when not required both day or night should be a basic activity that is instilled in us from an early age

    Posted by Brian on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [2] [0]
    Peter

    Same, I always switch of lights when not in use.

    Posted by Peter on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Jigsaw

    I always switch off everything in my house ! Saves on energy and lowers the cost of my bill so it's a double bonus!

    Posted by Jigsaw on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Tara Rata

    This is to encourage people to be more energy efficient. It is better for the person and better for the environment. Why leave electricity on when it doesn't need to be on. I have always switched lights and power off at when not in use. Also saves money on electricity bill!

    Posted by Tara Rata on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    fresheyes

    Why the evening when it's dark and colder? Wouldn't day usage conservation be less inconvenient (you don't usually need artificial lighting to see and it's always warmer than the evening), encouraging greater user compliance to the request?

    Posted by fresheyes on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [2] [0]
    merryl

    Not enough power is being generated to supply the increasing population and the increasing use of electricity. Without more power generation, requests to turn off lights will become more common and there will be more and more power outages.

    Posted by merryl on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [2] [0]
    HUMECREEK

    Because we have signed up to the Net Zero rubbish which will not only send our country broke but will cause more problems than it fixes. Soaring power prices are only here because the Government is taking away our reliable base load power and spending trillions of dollars on wind and solar power for what? It will have no impact on the global temperature.

    Posted by HUMECREEK on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    Kellie

    Origin energy runs "spike " hours, with incentives if you beat your predicted power usage in the selected time. I choose to turn off my power for every spike hour, and not only does it save me a substantial amount of money on electricity, but I get to experience peacefulness that I ordinarily wouldn't. No screens, no lights, no white noise - it's actually quite therapeutic. It allows me time to take a breath, a perfect opportunity for self care. And the positive impact it would have on our planet is reason enough alone! Once upon a time, there was no such thing as electricity, and everyone survived! Maybe stop, turn off the lights, and enjoy the simple things. You'd be surprised at the things you notice when you "SWITCH OFF".

    Posted by Kellie on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [2]
    Narain

    Short of energy power across country also support green earth.

    Posted by Narain on 22 Jul 2022
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  • [1] [0]
    BDTEE

    I believe the general public should be able to rely on power supply to their residence in the evening and agree with other correspondents that general lighting should be limited in high rise buildings but retained at street level for pedestrian safety.

    Posted by BDTEE on 20 Jul 2022
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  • [5] [0]
    ere

    Why are eight million Australians urged to turn off their lights? Because the idiots we have that are supposed to be running this country are too busy lining their own pockets to care if we run out of power. They'd sooner sell our resources to the highest bidders. It was obvious 10 or more years ago that we were going to have power shortages unless more powerstations were built but politicians did nothing about it as they didn't see votes in it for themselves. Now the chickens have come home to roost it's the poor public who will have to pay for the shortfall. It's only going to get worse for the forseeable future.

    Posted by ere on 20 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [0]
    mact

    Why don't untenanted City Skyscrapers be made to turn off when no one is in a room.....what most sensible consumers do? Poor old lemming consumers again bear the brunt of shiney arses stupidity!!!

    Posted by mact on 19 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [1]
    Market guru

    so electricity supply does not have to shutdown parts of the grid to maintain supply generated

    Posted by Market guru on 21 Jul 2022
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  • [0] [1]
    Dominic

    its because so that the main electricity facility that powers the area does not poop itself.

    Posted by Dominic on 22 Jul 2022
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