American group lobbies Obama for energy reform

Green groups, retail chains, investors and technology companies are uniting in Washington DC hope in hopes of catching Barack Obama's eye-they're pushing for the US President to put energy reform towards the top of his agenda. The group wants to see smartgrid technology and infrastructure undergo rapid expansion; also they hope to make energy information to become available for all consumers via broadband.

45 companies signed a letter addressed to the President of America and sent it yesterday (5 April)-supporters included The Climate Group, Google, Best Buy, Hewlett-Packard, Dow, General Electric, and Whirlpool among others. The letter makes a compelling case about the cost of energy inefficiency and energy-saving benefits of reducing energy use through education. From the letter:

"These savings could be substantial when added up: if all U.S. households saved 15% on their energy use by 2020, for example, the greenhouse gas savings would be equivalent to taking 35 million cars off the road and would save consumers $46 billion on their energy bills, or $360 per customer each year."

This would create significant headway in climate change. The Climate Group and partners are coming together today to host a conference in Washington DC entitled: Power in Numbers: Unleashing Innovation in Home Energy Use. The event will include a multitude of speakers, who will focus on how public and private money is funding more efficient energy systems and how to focus programmes to benefit consumers. US Executive Director of The Climate Group Amy Davidson will introduce the event. As in the Climate Group's press release:

"Government leadership on consumer access to energy information will not only help consumers save money and energy but will unlock a new domestic market for products and services that help consumers reduce their energy use. America's technology and utility companies will have the opportunity to innovate and compete for a share of the smart grid market, which we estimate to be worth $12.6 billion globally. It would be common sense policy that will not only save consumers 15% on their energy bills but be good for the planet, good for jobs and good for the economy."

There are new profits to be made and plenty of money to stop wasting by simply cutting back on power use and pushing for sustainable energy. The Climate Group and its collaborators hope to convince the President to work towards achieving three key goals for energy consumers:

- The ability to see their power use in a manner that will enable them to discover the sources and causes of their consumption;

- Pricing and pricing plans; and

- Available information about generation sources of electricity. The energy group wants President Obama to utilise all parts of his Administration available to begin reforming US energy regulation. They advocate a White House summit to address the public and have pledged personal support to help such a summit; clarity and accessibility of information are central tenants to the group's philosophy. The Climate Group's website points to research that proves people reduce electrical consumption by simple behaviour adjustments when they have direct feedback regarding their electricity use.

These independent and private undertakings could very well become a force in driving climate legislation in the United States-the market and public support are thriving without Senate legislation.

Author: Michael Good | Climate Action Image Provided by:
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