Obama Urged To Promote Access To Energy Info
A group of companies and organizations led by Google urged President Obama Monday to help promote actions that would make it easier for consumers and business to see how much energy they use and to take steps to curb their energy use.
In a letter to the president, the groups urged action to help energy consumers see the sources and causes of their energy consumption, data on the cost of their energy use, and information on how electricity is used. "By giving people the ability to monitor and manage their energy consumption, for instance, via their computers, phones or other devices, we can unleash the forces of innovation in homes and businesses," according to the letter signed by Google and 46 other companies and groups including the Consumer Electronics Association, the Environmental Defense Fund, Intel, Johnson Controls, and Verizon. "At the same time, we can harness the power of millions of people to reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- and save consumers billions of dollars."
The letter said government can help by providing "clear" rules outlining consumer access to such information; incentives to promote the deployment of technologies; and programs that educate and engage both providers and energy users.
Some of the specific steps they want the president to take include directing the Energy Department and Environmental Protection Agency to "add the availability of timely, useful and actionable energy information to consumers" as one of the criteria in proposed rules, grants or other programs aimed at promoting energy efficiency or are related to energy use or distribution. In addition, they asked the president to lead an effort to encourage federal agencies, states, industry and other stakeholders to work together to develop strategies, policies and programs aimed at helping provide consumers with access to energy information. They suggested the president convene a White House summit to "empower consumers with better information and tools for managing their energy use."
Google is hosting an event Tuesday at its Washington, D.C., offices to discuss the issues outlined in the letter. Carol Browner, the White House adviser on energy and climate change, will be among the featured speakers at the event.
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