This morning I had the pleasure of speaking in front of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet on the subject of “Improving Energy Efficiency Through Technology and Communications Innovation.” I was one of five experts invited to deliver testimony. As a newly minted U.S. citizen, I was honored to be able participate so directly in government policy. The three key observations I offered up to assist the federal government in leading the adoption of energy efficiency technologies and platforms included:

1. Real-time information is key to driving energy savings. No consistent policy currently exists regarding whether and how consumers can see how much energy they are using in real time.
2. The biggest barriers to innovation are not technical, but economic. Most utilities have little incentive to sell their customers less energy and in most states consumers do not have a choice of energy supplier.
3. The ultimate driver of change will be the consumer. Like the information and communications revolution, consumers and market demand will drive adoption.

I invite you to view my complete written testimony here.