Dive Summary:

• The Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative (SGCC) conducted a survey of low-income energy consumers and found that 35% would "probably" sign up for a time-of-use pricing plan, with another 12% saying would "definitely" sign up.
• Interest was even higher in programs that pay consumers to reduce their energy use  during peak demand times, with 23% definitely interested and 34% probably interested.
• Prepaid plans proved to be unpopular with survey takers, with only 7% definitely interested and 20% probably interested.

From the article:

"... The Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative decided to stop guessing at the answer to that question, and go ask U.S. low-income customers themselves. This week, the nonprofit group published the results of that survey — and some of the answers may surprise the smart grid industry.

For example, low-income households — those earning than $30,000 for a family of 3 to 4, or $40,000 for a family of 5 to 8 people — aren’t nearly as opposed to time-of-use and peak pricing plans as many may have guessed, Patty Durand, executive director of the SGCC, said in a Thursday interview. ..."