The Green Button initiative gives utility customers easy access to their electricity usage data. This data is provided as a text file in a format that is standard across multiple utilities. This data file can then be shared with third party developers who can provide valuable context, analysis, and other functions based on that usage data. About 10-12 million customers (commercial and residential) currently have access to their data in this format, and 20-30 million are expected to have access by the end of 2012. Find out more about the Green Button from the White House and at the Department of Energy’s OpenEI.org.

Learn more here:

• Green Button Press Release: http://go.ostp.gov/GED2n6
• Statements of Support: http://go.ostp.gov/GFszs0
• White House Blog: http://go.ostp.gov/GFQkio

This is a growing market and the government wants to jump-start the development of apps that can consume Green Button data with an upcoming Apps for Energy challenge.

If you live in California, you may already be able to use Green Button data. Connect to your local utility to find out more.

• Pacific Gas and Electric: http://www.pge.com/myhome/myaccount/using/thegreenbutton/
• San Diego Gas and Electric: http://sdge.com/customer-service/billing-information/green-button

Later in 2012, the Green Button will also be available to customers of Southern California Edison, Glendale Water and Power, Oncor, and PEPCO Holdings.