Matthew L. Wald, New York Times

Millions of households across America are taking a first step into the world of the “smart grid,” as their power companies install meters that can tell them how much electricity they are using hour by hour — and sometimes, appliance by appliance. But not everyone is happy about it.

Matthew L. Wald, New York Times

The Energy Star program, run by the government, is supposed to bestow a seal of approval on consumer products that use less energy than competing models. But it has a number of flaws, as laid out in a new report released by the inspector general of the Energy Department, which administers the program with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sacramento Business Journal

California took the top spot among states implementing energy-efficiency measures, according to a report released Wednesday.

Judged on six policy areas, California led Massachusetts, Connecticut and Oregon in the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's 2009 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard. Washington placed seventh in the 50-state rankings.

Staff Reports, Stockton Record Net

STOCKTON - Anticipated federal stimulus dollars to keep the chill at bay while protecting jobs are on the way, including $1.8 million for San Joaquin County's weatherization program.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Office on Tuesday announced more than $68 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act had been awarded. The county money was expected; it's part of a $4.2 million contract approved by the county Board of Supervisors in June.

Marc Lifscher, Los Angeles Times

Melanie Turner, Sacramento Business Journal

The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday approved a three-year $3.1 billion energy efficiency budget for the state's four major investor-owned utilities. The PUC said it is the largest-ever commitment made by a state to energy efficiency.

The $3.1 billion will pay for energy efficiency programs for Pacific Gas and Electric Co., San Diego Gas and Electric Co., Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Co.

Victor Garcia, Visalia Times-Delta

The Visalia Unified School District's four-day summer work schedule helped lower its utility costs by $129,000, Superintendent Stan Carrizosa said.
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In the district, office staff, custodians and maintenance crews work 12 months of the year.

Summer district staff worked 10 hours per day, four days per week.

Based on the program's success, the district is planning to continue it next summer, Carrizosa said.

Todd Woody, Los Angeles Times

Would you pay $39.95 for a light bulb?

Didn't think so. But what if it used 90% less electricity than a standard incandescent bulb, cut greenhouse gas emissions and saved you about $280 over its 25-year life span?

That's the challenge facing Dutch start-up Lemnis Lighting, which on Friday began selling the American version of what apparently is the world's first dimmable LED bulb compatible with home light fixtures.

John Cox, Bakersfield.com

Agueda Serrano still doesn't buy it.

The 71-year-old Bakersfield resident showed up early to the "answer centers" that Pacific Gas and Electric Co. set up at a downtown hotel Friday to help people understand why their electricity bills shot up this summer.