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New legislation in the US state of Pennsylvania is requiring utilities to work with customers to cut electricity use by 1% by 2011 and by 3% by 2013.

Installing smart meters in every home and business in the state will help customer reduce their usage, while small businesses will be eligible for grants to help increase energy efficiency. However, the bill only requires utilities to complete the installation the smart meters within 15 years.

Utilities are also being required to cut peak energy usage by 4.5% by 2013. Customers will be encouraged to move to new pricing plans that offer rewards for shifting use to off-peak hours.

“This bill marks a great step forward in our efforts to help electricity consumers save on their energy bills by reducing consumption,” said Governor Edward G. Rendell.

He added that the new energy efficiency mandates in Pennsylvania are the strongest in the US.

For further information:
www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=2999&PageID=431162&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/global/news_releases/governor_s_office/news_releases/governor_rendell_signs_energy_conservation_bill_to_save_consumers_millions_on_electricity__urges_legislature_to_pass_rate_mitigation_bill.html
www.depweb.state.pa.us