My co-worker Charles Slat, who blogs at Consumer Alert! and writes about business topics for The Monroe Evening News, focused on energy costs in his Sunday column today. You’ll find at on page 1D of today’s print and e-editions of The Monroe Evening News with the headline “Beware the energy monster!” or here at monroenews.com.

A snippet:

You know those high gasoline prices you’ve been whining about.

Stop whining.

Save your energy so you can scream real loud, because higher energy costs are going to erode your quality of life even more. …

Right now, the two big electric companies have rate hikes pending. That means even if the Legislature does nothing, you’ll probably end up paying more for electricity in the months ahead.

You know, my 1,000-square foot house is looking like a better and better investment every day. If gas prices can make an SUV drivers jealous of my Chevy Cobalt, just wait until homeowners figure out the difference in utility bills with small, efficiently-designed homes than sprawling maze-style construction with rooms for every purpose.