California utility Pacific Gas & Electric is contemplating allowing customers to access data about their daily energy consumption on a day-after basis.

In doing so, PG&E hopes that it will give consumers the tools to reduce their power consumption.

The PG&E SmartMeter is being developed as part of an overhaul of its website.

The utility is also considering providing online alerts when consumers are approaching higher price terms by sending them a message that says something along the lines of, "Based on your current rate of consumption, you are heading toward a higher power bill."

PG&E may also allow consumers to access data on the power consumption of their neighbors.

This information would first be made anonymous, for the sake of privacy.

By allowing consumers to compare their energy consumption to that of their neighbors, PG&E believes that customers will reduce their power consumption if they feel they are being more wasteful than the people next-door.

The company has found that consumers are less inclined to reduce their consumption rates because they feel they are harming the environment than if they feel they are being more excessive than their neighbors.

Essentially, PG&E is using shame as a business model.

I suppose a little friendly competition couldn't hurt, especially if it means reducing energy consumption.

Until next time,

—Hilary