A small but growing group of consumers are willing to pay premiums over the energy costs to support renewable energy.
Around 23,000 Minnesota households paid 30 percent more than the previous year for electricity, 4,30,000 households bought green power and utilities in 36 states offer some kind of green pricing.
Individuals like Rev. Francis Galles, living on a retired priest's income pays an extra $60 a year and is willing to pay more to see that at least some of the energy he uses is powered by wind turbines.
He feels he is doing his part in furthering a vision for the future of energy.
Progressive states and utilities are needed to lead the way in educating consumers about renewable energy sources.
While volunteer efforts are appreciated and programs like Capture the Wind are making great inroads in the use of wind energy as an alternative source some environmentalists wonder how much they can do to help without additional laws to back them up.
A Minnesota law requires utilities to offer customers the option of green pricing - customers can check a form and choose to have a certain portion of their energy in renewable energy. While the green energy isn't necessarily delivered to the customer, the utilities generate an amount equivalent to the purchase.
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