Telecommunications

[January 29, 2013]

PowerOverEnergy.org

Did you know that 40 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while they are turned off Did you also know that the amount of energy consumed by U.S. homes for air conditioning has doubled in the last 12 years, to 317 billion kilowatt hours

To help educate consumers on these staggering statistics and more, a group of leading energy and environmental groups today launched PowerOverEnergy.org. The website is a one-stop-shop chockfull of information about smart grid modernization and energy efficiency to arm website visitors with the tools to understand more about the power we generate, transmit, consume and conserve. Initial coalition members include Edison Foundation's Institute of Innovation, Electricity, Efficiency, Environmental Defense Fund, Global Green, GridWise Alliance, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Silver Spring Networks, Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative and Sustainable Silicon Valley.

Electricity is an essential part of everyday life. The average consumer, however, knows little about how it is generated, distributed and consumed, and knows little about maximizing efficiency and monetary savings. As a result of this gap in understanding, they are often unaware of the very real challenges facing America's electricity grid which, if not addressed, will have a direct effect on every consumer.

"A well-designed smart grid will drive the clean energy revolution we need - growing our economy, securing our energy independence, increasing our global competitiveness and empowering consumers, while protecting our air, water and health. And it must be designed first and foremost to meet community needs," said Jim Marston, vice president of Environmental Defense Fund's U.S. Energy and Climate Program. "Consumers - the families and businesses that use electricity - play an active role in transforming the way we use energy and are crucial to realizing the full promise of a smarer grid."

Modernizing the grid will help the industry manage supply and demand more effectively, prevent waste and avoid costly service interruptions. The nation needs an energy network that prepares consumers for the future - one that is flexible, responsive and resilient.

"Silver Spring is proud to be a founding member of Power Over Energy. We, as consumers, all need a better understanding of energy and the impact our energy choices have," said Lisa Magnuson, Senior Director of Consumer Education and Brand Programs, Silver Spring Networks. "Our goal with this campaign is to increase energy literacy, empowering and motivating consumers to make smarter energy decisions along the way."

To make this a reality, every consumer needs to play an active role in the grid modernization conversation, but most are not equipped with the knowledge to do so. PowerOverEnergy.org will provide them the information they need to help move the country to a cleaner, more efficient, resilient and sustainable energy future through needed investments in the electricity infrastructure.

Every consumer has the power to make a difference. PowerOverEnergy.org is a call to action, a resource that engages consumers in the conversation and encourages them to become active, informed participants in the energy discussion.

About Power Over Energy

Power Over Energy is an energy literacy campaign created by a coalition of energy and environmental groups to engage the public and give consumers the information they need to begin to take control of their energy usage. Members of the coalition include Edison Foundation's Institute of Innovation, Electricity, Efficiency, Environmental Defense Fund, Global Green, GridWise Alliance, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Silver Spring Networks, SmartGrid Consumer Collaborative and Sustainable Silicon Valley.

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