BUYING WIND ELECTRICITY

Until recently, state governments have tightly controlled the utility companies that produce and provide energy to homes and businesses within individual states. These companies held a monopoly in certain areas. Prices were regulated, and there weren't other companies from which to choose. But in the late 1980’s this situation began to change as state regulations changed. This change is known as deregulation or restructuring.

As individual states change their policies, people all over the country will be able to choose the source of their energy depending on what is important to them, whether it is the environment, cost, or convenience. You can check to see if your state’s electricity has been deregulated on a clickable map at the Energy Information Administration’s web site.  Even in regulated states, many utilities offer customers the opportunity to buy green power. Call your utility to see if your family can.

USEFUL CONSUMER LINKS

AirHead: Airhead helps you figure out the relationship between the environment and your everyday life.