So, are you saying they are they adding at least $4 to your bill so they can do research - sounds like a power company scam to me.

My electric bills have gone up about 150% in the last three years, no way would I pay extra for my power company to do research. They are already making money hand over fist. They can pay for their research with the money I already give them.

As soon as we start implementing their power saving tips, they increase the rates because they "aren't making enough profit" for the stockholders.

I'm sure that's exactly it. It just seemed like in theory it's a grand idea..but in reality it is more consumers money in their pockets.

It struck me at first as something that I'd like to help do..but then the more I thought about it..I was coming to the same conclusion as you..
My power bills aren't very costly. Less than $50 on average per month through out the year.

Wow, I envy you with such cheap power.

After everyone left home (including the XH), I managed to get my electric bill down to about $115 a month. I shut rooms, shut vents, got a programmable thermostat, made sure the lights are off, etc. Well, with rate increase after increase, my bill topped out at $295 a month, with no changes on my part. I've managed, by brute force I think, to get it down to about $250/month. I was paying that much with a family of five, and now it's just me. I'm not giving my power company any more money than I have to.

Save your money, invest in conservation technology for your home, and solar panels!

If you're really interested in promoting research into Green Power, find a non-profit research center in your region to donate to. I'm not familiar with your region, but the local Cooperative Extension may be able to help, they are getting into green economics and have access to info on research. Ask them about alternative energy research institutes. The link below is one example.

I wouldn't just mail off 4 bucks unless I knew a lot more specifically what it was being used for. That's why I recommended developing a relationship with a local group. I don't dontate to altruistic causes unless I can keep pretty good tabs on the organization. Accountability is crucial for effective research funding.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Rocky Mountain Institute

That is crazy, your power bill! Do you heat with power?
I have a tiny house, and the only "electric" heat is the bathroom wall heater. We heat the WHOLE house with a small gas fireplace.

Pink, I've been trying to convince hubby to install some solar panels, and a few "light" tubes in certain places to help. I really want one of those light tubes in my shower/tub..when we remolded the bathroom, we framed in the window that was on that outside wall..I miss that natural light!

We could install a few solar panels over the garage. The front slope faces South!

Maybe a windmill too..LOL okay it's just so darn windy today..LOL

Thanks for the info Pink..I'll look at it!

We don't have that. But I just enrolled in BGE PeakRewards. For a sign-up bonus this year, I receive $100 off my next bill. Plus, since I chose to participate 100% (that means, during electric emergencies, they can cycle my a/c off for 100% of the time), I get an additional $25 credit for the four summer months for each unit (I have two). So that equates to a savings of $200 a summer, which is well worth it for little inconvenience.

However, my gas/electric bills are combined, and we do try to be frugal about heating and cooling, as well as lights. We keep our blinds closed during the summer (how I hate a dark house!) and I've been using less hot water, shorter cycles in the dishwasher, etc. But look at our one year history :-( Solar panels are out of the question right now because of how expensive they are to get. Plus DH thinks our exposure isn't optimal. The following amounts are for a family of 6, a ~2500 s.f. home, heating kept between 65-68' and a/c kept between 78-80'.

6/11/2008 7/7/2008 $198.32
5/12/2008 6/4/2008 $183.20
4/10/2008 5/5/2008 $266.82
3/11/2008 4/3/2008 $408.79
2/11/2008 3/5/2008 $408.54
1/11/2008 2/5/2008 $383.49
12/12/2007 1/4/2008 $357.77
11/9/2007 12/4/2007 $214.83
10/11/2007 11/5/2007 $163.78
9/12/2007 10/5/2007 $249.08
8/10/2007 9/4/2007 $227.68
7/12/2007 8/6/2007 $216.66

Nancy

Has anyone heard of the new energy saving google site called Blackle?

How is Blackle saving energy?
Blackle was created by Heap Media to remind us all of the need to take small steps in our everyday lives to save energy. Blackle searches are powered by Google Custom Search.
Blackle saves energy because the screen is predominantly black. "Image displayed is primarily a function of the user's color settings and desktop graphics, as well as the color and size of open application windows; a given monitor requires more power to display a white (or light) screen than a black (or dark) screen." Roberson et al, 2002
In January 2007 a blog post titled Black Google Would Save 750 Megawatt-hours a Year proposed the theory that a black version of the Google search engine would save a fair bit of energy due to the popularity of the search engine. Since then there has been skepticism about the significance of the energy savings that can be achieved and the cost in terms of readability of black web pages.
We believe that there is value in the concept because even if the energy savings are small, they all add up. Secondly we feel that seeing Blackle every time we load our web browser reminds us that we need to keep taking small steps to save energy.
How can you help?
We encourage you to set Blackle as your home page. This way every time you load your Internet browser you will save a little bit of energy. Remember every bit counts! You will also be reminded about the need to save energy each time you see the Blackle page load.
Help us spread the word about Blackle by telling your friends and family to set it as their home page. If you have a blog then give us a mention. Or put the following text in your email signature: "Blackle.com - Saving energy one search at a time".
Have a look at our energy saving tips page for ideas on steps you can take to save energy.
There are a lot of great web sites about saving energy and being more environmentally friendly. They are full of great tips covering the little things that we can all do to make a difference today. Try Blackling "energy saving tips" or visit one of the many great blogs dedicated to environmental awareness.

Contact Blackle - Privacy Policy - Blackle FAQ
© 2008 Heap Media

Here is a link that might be useful: Blackle

Solar panels are expensive and aren't yet cost effective for everyone. Depends on how long you plan on spending in your house, what your exposure is, and what you want to do with your money, lol! But I wouldn't give it to the power companies to do research, that's for sure. They are not going to research how to stop you from having to pay them!!