Homestead mailing list

[Rob <becida AT comcast.net>]

At  1/13/2008 03:47 PM,EarthNSky wrote:
> Can anyone (Lynda?) verify this story?
> http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/11/america/calif.php
> --

>>Next year in California, state regulators are 
likely to have the emergency power to control 
individual thermostats, sending temperatures up 
or down through a radio-controlled device that 
will be required in new or substantially modified 
houses and buildings to manage electricity shortages<<

Not entirely new. In Minnesota we could have 
gotten a lower rate if certain appliances (hot 
water tank & electric stove) were on a program 
where the utility could cut them off during high 
use/expensive power buy times. This was voluntary.
Have also had power boxes that would report the 
monthly usage to the power company (instead of someone reading the meter).

Having the power company set your thermostat 
really does sound big brotherish, I guess they 
could ask for volunteers for the program. If you 
volunteer they bump your thermostat 10º (in high 
usage times) , if you don't volunteer they turn 
your power off (in high usage times)<VBG>.



Rob

becida AT comcast.net
Western Washington State, USA