Forget the MHz ratings or transactions per second (tps) that used to dominate the bragging for computer companies -- power consumption is the new thing.

Data centers that drive research projects and power the backbone of the web are energy hogs, and computing companies like IBM, Intel, Dell and Google are joining forces to fix the problem.

They are developing new technologies and standards to cut energy use, and folks like Sun and Google are adding solar power to their portfolio. IBM is trying to maximize the PR from this move by creating an energy meter that shows the improved efficiency of moving to a mainframe instead of individual servers.

IBM is also double dipping, in a sense, as they are selling the energy savings as renewable energy credits, according to Slashdot. IBM and its partners drastically reduce their electricity bills, and they get to generate revenue. Nice work if you can get it, right?

So here's the question -- should companies who are saving money by changing technology also get the benefit of carbon credits? This might overwhelm the market and keep the price of carbon credits low. Should such companies receive the same financial benefits as a company that pays extra to use wind or solar power or provides incentives for mass transit? It is hard to judge the activities that "should be undertaken anyway" since they save money from those that are done to reduce the carbon footprint. Theoretically carbon credits will create more cost-neutral investments in clean technology, if the system is set up correctly.