The DOE Is Tracking the Money

The U.S. Department of Energy's office for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has developed a map that allows the user to click on a state to pull up an excel spreadsheet displaying the grant money that has been allocated to each city for energy efficiency.

This investment could pave the way for significant cost saving improvements if it is used properly. It will be interesting to watch how smaller communities who do not have the experience with using money for this purpose end up allocating their portion.

Following the largest investment in energy efficiency in the history of the United States is of utmost importance. It is essential that we can see where the money is going. You can also use this information to show your local representatives that your municipality could use more money. Community specific projects or work training programs are eligible for grants.

All cities with a population of over 35,000 can receive funding. They must first apply (the deadline for cities is June 25th; states must apply by May 26th). Cities must have at least a solid plan in place 18 months after they receive the grant, or they will lose the money.

Access the map here.

For more about the block grant program and eligibility click here.

Wired Magazine Examines Smart Grid

Wired Magazine featured a story about the solutions to overcome the hurdles of transforming our current electric grid into the smart efficient grid of the magical world of "tomorrow." Online the story features a 7 part slide with "Ways to fix the grid, now."

Despite the skeptics who look at this overhaul as an unnecessary undertaking, the technology to achieve this change is already here and they have been proven. The key to the change will be overcoming current regulatory obstacles and integrating the system of wires and transformers into a more collaborative national network.

The main feature I took from the article, was a well written historical perspective of why and how utilities were formed and how they developed the grid into what it is today. An effective smart grid will bring a wide range of new information and data that developers from the biggest companies to the smallest living rooms can use to create innovative ways to manage our daily energy usage.

Check out the series and article here.

Act On Energy - Home Audits

Ameren's Act On Energy program is now officially offering Home Energy Performance Audits for only $25. Many participants join Power Smart Pricing looking to save money on their electric bills. While shifting your usage to low priced times will help you save, making cost effective home improvements can ensure additional savings.

The advice the "trained Energy Advisor" will give and recommend will surely surpass the $25 initial fee. On top of that, some homes will be eligible to receive some energy efficient products.

To qualify for an audit, you will have to be an Ameren customer, your home must have been built before 1975, your bills average out to over $300, and you must be willing to spend some money for energy efficiency improvements.

Follow this link to begin!
http://www.actonenergy.com/home-home-energy-audits.asp

PSP in the Herald & Review

Here is a well written review of Power Smart Pricing by Tony Reid of the Herald & Review. He has covered our program before, and this article updates his readership about the positive steps we have taken.

http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2009/03/23/money/1040046.txt

A Note About PSP Savings

Most of the Power Smart Pricing participants received their 2008 savings report in the mail yesterday. For a quick overview, our participants have saved an average of 10% off of the standard residential rate (BGS-1) with PSP since the beginning of the program in 2007.

We got a few calls from people who were a little disappointed in their results. Most of these calls were from households that started on the rate in May or June. The most difficult time to save on the program is throughout the summer when air conditioning usage drives up the price for electricity. When cooler temperatures come through in the fall, winter, and spring, the average real time price will also drop.

During these non-summer months, participants generally save between 20 and 30 percent off their bills. Therefore if you started the program in May or June, you may not have had enough of the discounted months to see the savings you were expecting. Please be patient, and remember you can give us a call at 1-877-655-6028 to get the most up to date savings information for your account.