Initiative: Save electricity, get discount on bill

A new plan currently being formulated by the National Infrastructure Ministry will attempt to tackle the shortage of electricity and reduce air pollution in the country. Under the plan, households that succeed in lowering their electricity consumption by 20% will receive a 20% discount on the electricity used. The ministry hopes to start operating the initiative this coming August, at least on a trial basis. "Implementing such a move would help the consumer and the Israel Electric Corp save money and benefit the environment," said the ministry's Director General Shaul Zemach. The model is based on a plan that has been successfully implemented in California under the title "20/20' since 2001. According to the California power company, 34% of consumers there have been able to reduce at least 20% of their electricity consumption. In Israel a family consumes a monthly average of 600 kilowatt-hour (kWh). Those who succeed in reducing their consumption to 530 kWh will be eligible for the discount. Under the current rate of 51.5 agorot per kWh, the total saving is expected to reach some NIS 120 (roughly $40) a month. However, it appears that in order to be able to reach the 20% destination, consumers will also need to start using new, more energy-saving and efficient appliances. Environmentalists have already warned that should the plan be implemented without providing the public with the necessary information and giving it time to adjust and prepare, many consumers would be disappointed by their failure to save the required 20%. The full report was published in Yedioth Ahronoth on Tuesday