Wind Today - Q4 2008 - (Page 62) News Utilities Gear Up to Offer Green Power Programs On April 22, 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released its annual ranking of leading utility green power programs. This article is based on NREL’s report. More than 800 utility companies across the United States offer their residential and business customers a “green option” when it comes to purchasing electricity. According to NREL, these voluntary programs allow consumers to purchase alternative electricity production from renewable resources, such as wind. “Utility green power programs continue to expand across the country,” says Lori Baird, NREL senior analyst. According to the NREL report (as of December 2007), the top five utilities with the most green power program subscribers based on renewable energy sales are Austin Energy, Portland General Electric (PGE), PacifiCorp, FPL Energy, and Xcel Energy. However, in August, the Florida Public Service Commission ordered FPL Energy to terminate its Sunshine Energy program, because only 20% of the $11.4 million collected from customers was used to develop renewable energy facilities. More than 38,000 customers participated in the program, which began in late 2003. The NREL report, released in April, shows green power programs are proving to be a powerful stimulus for growth in renewable energy supply. The report says that in 2007, utility green power sales were more than 4.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is about a 20% increase above 2006. According to the report, approximately 600,000 customers are participating in utility green power programs nationwide. These programs help support more than 3,000 MW of renewable electricity generation capacity, according to NREL. Here is a look at the top four green power programs (not including FPL Energy): Response No. 621 62 WIND TODA Y Fourth Quarter 2008 http://www.windconnect.com
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