Do Consumers Really Care About the Smart Grid? Some Think Not

The "smart grid," or the way that the electric infrastructure can be enhanced with interactive, telecommunications- and broadband-related capabilities, may not be that important for consumers, said panelists at the July 20 Broadband Breakfast Club.

At the same time, Nick Sinai, the Federal Communications Commission Energy and Environment Director, said that intelligent electric infrastructure -- including consumer data about energy use -- could enhance competition in electricity and in broadband. "The federal government's role isn't to figure this out, neither is it the state role," said Sinai. However, "We need to set the conditions, so that utilities can continue to modernize, and deliver secure and reliable" electricity.