The White House announced it had secured a commitment from nine major utilities companies to give some 15 million consumers online access to an unprecedented, granular look at their household energy consumption through a new, one-click tool called the “Green Button.”

The tool — which will take the form of a literal, green colored button on the participating utilities websites later this year — is designed to allow consumers to see where they are using energy, where they are wasting it and to help improve efficiency.

The utilities have agreed to release the data in CSV format, or comma separated values, presenting an opportunity for energy efficiency building analysts to intercept and interpret as part of the sales process.  Although there are significant issues to consider regarding privacy and third-party access to information, every utility will have to fold on this eventually if we are to really to shift the marketplace into high-gear.

From TPMlab at http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/03/what-is-the-white-houses-green-button.php?ref=fpnewsfeed