Electric utilities across the country area able to show customers, in a simple way, the data they can access on their electricity use.

The U.S. Department of Energy recently launched theUtility Data Access Map tool, an interactive Web platform that enables electric utilities across the country to show customers, in a simple way, the data they can access on their electricity use. Currently, DOE has received responses from more than 500 participating utilities.

This effort includes the recent launch of the industry-ledGreen Buttoninitiative, designed to provide households secure access to their energy data with a simple click of an online "Green Button."