Trends in Utility Green Pricing Programs (2006)

In the early 1990s, only a handful of utilities offered their customers a choice of purchasing electricity generated from renewable energy sources. Today, more than 750 utilities--or about 25% of all utilities nationally--provide their customers a 'green power' option. Through these programs, more than 70 million customers have the ability to purchase renewable energy to meet some portion or allof their electricity needs--or make contributions to support the development of renewable energy resources. Typically, customers pay a premium above standard electricity rates for this service. This report presents year-end 2006 data on utility green pricing programs, and examines trends in consumer response and program implementation over time. The data in this report, which were obtained via aquestionnaire distributed to utility green pricing program managers, can be used by utilities to benchmark the success of their green power programs.