So I updated my Twitter Feed to spark up some discussion on the benefits of the Smart Grid.  My Tweet went a little something like this:

“Energy companies need to be allowed to introduce variable energy pricing, charging more for it at peak times to reflect their higher costs.”

Little did I know that I had integrated tweet deck with my Facebook account and I mistakenly got into a debate with my dear friend Al.

I thought we could have an interesting discussion but Facebook really isn’t the greatest format for a discussion so here goes.

Here is the discussion thread so far:

Energy companies need to be allowed to introduce variable energy pricing, charging more for it at peak times to reflect their higher costs.

Al responded:

You know the problem I have with this Scott? I don’t trust any of those power companies any further’n I can throw them with both hands tied behind my back. They are worse than the collusionists at “big oil.” Out of one side of their mouth, these people are keep pushing for higher prices and new energy projects, while with the other fork of their tongue they tout the benefits of “conservation”. BC Hydro, for example, has now set a “maximum” threshold of what it consider acceptable power consumption per household/month. Go “over”, and you’ll pay a higher per KW rate. But my wife and I – no kids, no diapers, not much laundry, a couple a semi-retirees, really – can’t stay within their “guideline”, and we’re not energy hogs! What of a family with 4 kids? The whole thing is a ripoff. Crooked shysters, hiding behind the cloak of environmental responsibility and “conservation”. What they’ll ultimately do is drive me to burn more wood to heat my home. Pretty “green” of me, eh?

Of which I responded:

oops.. that was meant for my twitter feed.. (trying to drum up business with our Smart Grid software solutions) Ack.. I messed up my twitter integration!

I hear what your saying.. there are a lot of issues with that.. however if we get really smart we could develop smart appliances that turn on automatically during off peak hours.. now that … would be cool! Meaning you don’t reduce your standard of living and the Electricity System Operator’s job would be much easier in balancing power to the grid with out dispatching old inefficient power plants..