This article from Stateline discusses that consumers (and utilities) in some states are wary of using smart meters, part of an overall ’smart grid’ for the nation’s electric system.

Great River Energy and its member co-ops can empathize with some of the points in the piece, particularly ensuring that members are protected against bill impacts from installing new technologies. There was one key point, though, that we wholeheartedly agree with: providing electric users with information about their energy use is great, but users must take action to reduce their energy use.

Electric cooperatives provide members with many tools, rebates and advice to reduce their energy use. And smart meters can tell a customer how much energy is being used at any one time, let them know when prices spike (usually in the early evening hours on days like today—hot and humid ones), electric users are the ones who can help themselves the most. By delaying that dishwasher or laundry load until after 9:00 pm (when prices usually come down), installing a programmable thermostat (that can help reduce bills by not cooling or heating a home when people are at work), installing insulation and, of course, simply turning things off when they aren’t being used (like the bedroom light when you’re in the living room).

Here’s some more information on energy efficiency programs from Great River Energy and Minnesota cooperatives.