Facebook app promotes energy conservation

New York Times : A new app encourages people to post their energy use on their Facebook pages and invite friends to share their information as well. The app is available through Opower , which works with utility companies to promote energy efficiency to consumers by analyzing usage and offering recommendations on how to save energy, and money, by making small changes in energy consumption. The software was inspired by the Obama administration’s Green Button initiative to challenge the utility industry to enable its customers to download their energy usage with the simple click of a “green button.” With such data readily available, it is hoped that people will make more informed decisions about how they manage their household energy use.