A couple years ago I made a proposal to our regional utility (BC Hydro) regarding public availability of comparative energy usage information. The idea was that if folk’s energy usage was made viewable to all, then people would feel motivated to reduce their overall energy consumption.
Presently, I can view my account information on-line, but nobody else, and nobody else can view my account info. Fine, but why not make my (& everyone’s) energy consumption public information? Why do the utilities keep energy consumption a secret?
Idea : A per-utility on-line data-base would make the energy meter readings publicly available. (both electricity & natural-gas). The utilities already have this energy consumption information internally. I’m asking for energy info only, no personal information.
I could compare my energy consumption, to my neighbors & see how well I am doing
The socially aware (i.e. Jr. high-school social-studies class, who have just watched An Inconvenient Truth), would be all over this. These kids would want to know why House-A uses 300% more energy than House-B (typical energy consumption). They would talk to the owner of House-A, (who may have no idea they use +300%), and I bet the owner would fix the problem. School-kids have that influence!
End result : a gradual lowering of typical household energy usage.
Of course, individuals could opt-out. But you can bet that everyone would want to know how much energy the Premier of BC uses…. how much energy Al Gore’s house uses.
Is this a good idea, or am I just an anarchist?
Action : This would require legislation. Most utility companies 1st response would be to hide behind privacy policy, (or simply ignore). But that’s wrong… there is more at stake here.
M
