Glendale Water & Power (GWP) will soon debut Green Allowance, a new web-based service that gives kids the tools and motivation to champion energy conservation and help them actually earn a Green Allowance. The free program, available to students within the Glendale Unified School District and other Glendale schools starting early next year, is being developed through a first-in-the-nation agreement between the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) (of which GWP is a part) and Green Allowance LLC in New York.
The Green Allowance program, with a tagline of “Save the Planet, Get Paid,” guides kids through making the deal with their parents and executing the projects. Parents will receive regular updates tracking the progress of savings that help to educate the whole family on the value and potential of Smart Grid technologies and real-time data – part of a major infrastructure upgrade underway for all Glendale utility customers. The partnership between GWP and Green Allowance is funded through Glendale’s Public Benefits program. Additional SCPPA members are planning to offer the program in the future.
“This program is different than anything we’ve ever done,” said GWP General Manager Glenn Steiger. “By integrating actual energy consumption data right into the program, kids can see the fruits of their labor – and get rewarded by their parents. We’re thrilled to be the first in the nation to make this innovative program available to our customers.”
Helping develop “Smart Kids for the Smart Grid,” the program features a kid-friendly website, which provides practical ideas and customized assignments for kids – showing how they can save energy and, in turn, save money. Kids are encouraged to make a deal with their parents to share the savings on their electric bill – savings that are calculated and programmed to show up on their home computers every billing cycle. The Green Allowance website is scheduled to be launched in full later this month, with initial information already available.
"Conservation is a top priority for our member utilities, and changing behavior is key to making it happen," said SCPAA Executive Director Bill Carnahan. "Green Allowance is designed to actually influence societal change. We know kids are already passionate about their environment. By speaking directly to them and giving them the tools and motivation they need to conserve, we’re creating a whole new generation of energy conservationists."
"It’s very exciting to work with GWP and SCPPA – they’re leading the way in energy conservation," said Green Allowance Chief Executive Officer Paul Reale. "Green Allowance makes energy conservation come alive for kids by showing them right on their computers how much energy and money they’re saving. We have the potential to save American consumers $1 billion a year with a Green Allowance. This partnership with GWP and SCPPA is the first step toward that goal."
Those in Glendale who would like more information about participating in the Green Allowance program starting in early 2010 should call (818) 548-3870.