by David L. Huard (September 2010; 6 pages) This article examines efforts to promote renewable energy development in California, Germany, and elsewhere to show that governments should focus on individual consumers to maximize conservation and local renewable energy generation while managing large-generation replacement and new technology development to keep the lights on at the lowest reasonable cost. The author says incentives for conservation, smart grid technology and renewable energy development must be presented in concert with clear policies to nudge rather than shove consumers to participate in the adoption of alternative energy sources.