PGE says that data centers use up to 100 times the energy per square foot of a typical office building, but by adding energy efficiency improvements and switching to the most modern equipment, companies can drive one-third to one-half of their energy use out of their operations.

Because of the energy wasted, the company has begun to offer financial incentives for high-technology businesses that use energy efficient methods in their data centers. PGE's incentive program subsidizes cooling system improvements, high-efficiency power conditioning equipment retrofits, airflow management tune-ups and replacement of computing and data storage equipment with new technologies.

PGE has worked with Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric to make program offerings consistent across the state. Now it wants to coordinate its programs with utilities in the Pacific Northwest, Southwest and Northeast.