I remember when I was a kid, and it seemed like my dad was constantly scolding me for leaving the light on when I wasn’t in the room. At the time, I didn’t really care about saving energy or lowering the electric bill. Now if the Green Allowance program had been around, it might have been a different story. Glendale Water & Power (GWP) will debut the Green Allowance program early next year. It’s a web-based service that gives kids the tools and motivation to conserve energy and help earn them some dough if parents choose to participate. Earn money just by turning the lights off? Don’t mind if I do!

“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.”

GreenAllowance.com will provide practical ideas and customized assignments for kids, teaching them how they can save energy and  money. Kids are encouraged to make a deal with their parents to share the savings on their electric bill. The savings that are calculated will be 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.”

Click here to read the press release.

Those in Glendale who would like more information about participating in the Green Allowance program starting in early 2010 should visit www.greenallowance.com or call (818) 548-3870.

Photo Courtesy of ehow.com

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