Google leads coalition asks Obama to support universal smart meters
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Bangalore: In an open letter to the U.S. President orchestrated by the Climate Group and backed by several technology and energy firms, such as Google, AT &T, Intel, GE, HP and Verizon, the coalition asks the administration to " adopt the goal of giving every household and business access to timely, useful and actionable information on their energy use", reports James Murray from the BusinessGreen. "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," states the letter. "At the same time, we can harness the power of millions of people to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - and save consumers billions of dollars." A group of over 45 energy, investment and IT firms, as well as a number of green NGOs have joined forces this week to call on U.S. President Barack Obama to support the roll out of advanced smart meter technologies for every household and business in the U.S. Specifically, the group recommends that the administration launch a White House-led research programme to work out the best way of providing consumers and businesses with energy use information, while establishing effective privacy rules. The group added that there was a strong commercial case for supporting the roll out of smart meters and smart appliances capable of automatically turning off when not in use, noting that studies have shown they can help to cut household energy use by around 15 percent. The Obama administration has repeatedly signaled its support for smart grid technologies, earmarking large chunks of the stimulus package for investment in large-scale smart grid trials. However, the president has stopped short of emulating a number of European governments by setting a target date for the universal roll out of smart meters.

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