OPower leverages government data on energy usage, weather, and the energy efficiency of appliances to help customers get personalized advice on how to save on their energy bills.

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Attempting to lend verisimilitude to his analysis, Benbrook states repeatedly that his analysis is based on official, government (USDA) pesticide usage data.

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In an effort to spur development of a domestic renewable fuel industry and wean the U.S. off of foreign oil, the U.S. government introduced tax credits for ethanol usage with the Energy Tax Act of 1978.

FORBES: Washington's Foolish Fuel Policy

Already, the Obama Administration in conjunction with the Federal Communications Commission has proposed to free up 500 MHz of spectrum for commercial use over the next 10 years, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the government entity charged with overseeing federal spectrum usage, has identified 115 MHz to make available over the next five years.

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Brazilians were obliged to cut back their power usage by a fifth under a government led "volunteer" rationing program.

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So the U.S. government decided to force the issue by mandating ethanol usage in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

FORBES: Washington's Foolish Fuel Policy

And as to the specific thing that those technology company leaders were noting, that it can take up to a decade to get government owned spectrum reallocated and freed up for commercial usage.

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Tariffs are largely regulated by the government, keeping prices in check and encouraging greater mobile usage.

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The next goal is for the government to reduce consumption by 35 percent when compared to 1985 usage.

CNN: Bush orders government to reduce energy consumption

The Merkel-led coalition government says it plans to push the country to cut power usage by 10% by 2020.

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The government has asked households and businesses in parts of the country to cut electricity usage by 15% to avoid possible blackouts.

BBC: Japan PM Noda orders nuclear reactors back online

Moreover, the government is getting serious about pollution and is shutting down or pressuring high-polluting and high-water-usage industries.

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