Green Power Suppliers: Marketing Renewable Energy to the Masses

http://www.renewableaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50387

While Congress may be slow to compromise on renewable energy legislation that benefits the American public, six companies were recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earlier this week for their role in advancing the development of the nation's "green power markets."

Today, more than half of all U.S. customers have an option to purchase some type of green power product from a retail electricity provider. Currently, more than 750 utilities—or about 25% of utilities nationally—offer green power programs to customers.

Overall, retail sales of renewable energy to consumers making voluntary purchases totaled about 12 billion kilowatt-hours in 2006, representing a 40% increase over last year's sales data.

"Green power marketing has enormous potential to expand domestic markets for clean, abundant and affordable renewable energy technologies by fostering greater availability throughout the country," said DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alexander Karsner.

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