When students flick on lights, boot up a computer, or turn on a television, do they think about how that energy is produced? The majority of electricity in the United States is generated from power plants that burn fossil fuels, causing large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants to be released into the atmosphere. Conserving energy not only saves us money, it helps reduce the demand for fossil fuels. This month’s column focuses on how electricity gets to our homes, the reasons electricity should be conserved, and practical ways that we can use energy wisely.