I recently attended the Energy Marketing and Customer Service Conference (EMACS). EMACS is an annual conference that brings together some of the biggest electric and natural gas companies in the United States.

Exceptional business leaders within the industry discuss the hottest topics, share ideas in interactive round-table discussions and workshops, and learn from one another as to how to apply best practices. Overall, EMACS was created to guide energy companies in providing you—the consumer—with the best products, customer service and practices possible.

The main focus this year was on renewable energy goals set by the government. Did you know that every energy company has a goal to meet on producing renewable energy? For example, Southern California Edison (SCE)—one of California's biggest electric company that services more than 13 million people— has a set goal of 20 percent to be reached by 2010. They are well on their way of meeting that goal since at the moment 16.7 percent of their energy portfolio is renewable. This is exciting for the future of the energy industry.

To my surprise, many companies are taking on new energy conservation initiatives, and are being more proactive and smarter at implementing those ideas. The one that stood out the most for me was that some companies—such as Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)—are encouraging their communities to switch out old light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL) at schools, home-owner associations and government-owned facilities. Per Harry Hudchison, VP of Customer Services and Operations at SCE, by switching out your light bulbs to CFL's you can save up to one-third off your electric bill every month. Hearing that made me want to jump out of my seat and buy a dozen of them! It's well worth the cost.

Overall the conference was great. I learned that companies do actually have our best interest at heart, as well as the interest of the environment.