I recently stumbled across an article in a magazine that mentioned Google is in the process of trying to work with many major utilities to offer a similar feature online.

Here is how it works:
Google PowerMeter receives information from utility smart meters and energy management devices and provides customers with access to their home electricity consumption right on their personal iGoogle homepage. We are currently testing Google PowerMeter with a number of utilities and plan to expand our rollout later this year.

Here is a video explaining how it works:

Here are the utilities they are currently working with:
Glasgow EPB – Glasgow, Kentucky
JEA - Northeast Florida
Reliance Energy – Mumbai, Delhi & Orrisa, India
San Diego Gas & Electric – San Diego County and Southern Orange County, California
Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TXU Energy – Texas
White River Valley Electric Cooperative – Portions of Christian, Douglas, Ozark, Stone and Taney counties in Missouri
Wisonconsin Public Service – Northeast and Central Wisconsin and an adjacent portion of Upper Michigan

Why Purchase A Tubular Daylighting Device?

• It provides as much light as you would expect from a skylight many times its size.
• It is cost-effective. Tubular Daylighting Devices cost considerably less than other daylighting options, such as windows and skylights, including both product and installation costs.
• Installing it is fast, clean and easy. They require no structural reframing, tunneling, drywalling or painting. A professional can install the product in less than two hours and most Do-It-Yourselfers can finish the project in one day.
• It can go almost anywhere. The compact and flexible design of TDDs allow them to be installed in just about any room, including rooms without direct roof access and smaller spaces where daylighting would usually not be an option.
• It is “Green.” TDDs allow you to switch off electric lights during the day, which provides savings on energy bills and also reduces environmental pollution.
• It is actually good for you. It has been shown in several prominent studies that increasing daily exposure to natural light can enhance mental and physical well-being, boost concentration and energy levels and a variety of other unexpected perks.

30% off Entire Order
Cleanwell Coupon – EDO9
Valid Now Through 4/26

Cleanwell soaps can be found at Amazon, Whole Foods, Target and Bath & Body Works. One of the best items they have are these pocket packs which are great for travel. Ordering a 10pk at Cleanwell using the above coupon will cost you $15.39 + Shipping. In comparison, Amazon sells this same 10pk for $23.92 + shipping.

More Earth Day Freebies:
Disney Store – while supplies last, guests can exchange three empty bottles for a free commemorative Earth Day reusable water bottle
Reynolds Wrap – Free Roll of 100% Recycled Aluminum
EarthBound Farms – Free Tote bag if you are one of the first 10,000 each week in the month of April. Read the site / fill out the pledge to be eligible for the tote
Starbucks Canada – Free Coffee if you bring in a travel mug

One of the most interesting parts of the article I read was that Wang, CEO of BYD, poured battery fluid into a glass and drank it to demonstrate that his company developed a nontoxic electrolyte fluid for their vehicles.

More New Stories / Links for BYD:

• BYD F3DM Main Page
• Warren Buffet Takes Charge
• GM is Weeping: BYD F3DM Plug-in Hybrid Goes On Sale in China, 3 Years Before Volt

Preview on Edmunds.com:

*Subscribe & save is a way for you to set up automatic shipments of products from Amazon however often you want. Amazon will notify you prior to sending out the item so you can pause / cancel your subscription easily. You can also log in to your account whenever you want and canel / pause a subscription.

How do I get this deal?

• Click through to Amazon.com
• On the right hand side of the page, click the number you want in the subscribe & save box and how often you want them sent
• click “subscribe & save” and begin the checkout process
• Enter online coupon GRNBB4O9 prior to checkout to get an extra 10% off

What are the benefits of using reusable bags?

• some grocery stores here in Delaware offer a bag discount
• Trader Joes offers a weekly gift certificate raffle
• you can fit more items in each bag making less trips from car to kitchen
• the cut down on clutter in your house
• they help bring awareness to environmental issues

One complaint I have heard about reusable shopping bags is that people forget to bring them to the store. I’ll be the first to admit that we have forgotten to bring them every once in a while. I also have yet to put one or two of them in my car which means if I’m picking something up on the way home I end up getting a plastic bag. Once you get in the habit of using them though, it will become part of the routine. Try putting the bags either in your car or somewhere on the way to your car (in your garage) so you will see them before you leave for the store.

Also, if you’ve alreay made the switch to reusable grocery bags, you might want to consider reusable produce bags as well. They aren’t readily available in local stores however I have seen a few places online that sell them. We picked up a few of them last year on Amazon.com.

I just came across this $20 off $79 coupon and thought I’d pass it along to everyone.  I’d normally post this on DealCatcher but we are having “issues” with Amazon right now and are not posting deals for them this month.  I can’t pass up passing this along to friends & family though

Earth hour was created by WWF Australia and the Sydney Morning Herald in 2007 and achieved worldwide participation in 2008. It will occur this Saturday between 8:30 – 9:30 local time.  What happens during Earth hour you ask?  People all over the country are asked to turn off their lights to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions.  The list of landmarks and popular attractions in the U.S. that will go dark for one hour on March 28^th include various prominent buildings in New York, Las Vegas, California and various other states.

As of today I don’t see any cities in my state (Delaware) participating however I’m hoping that will change either this year or definitely by next year.