Buying Wind Power

On this page find information about:

• Green Marketing
• Renewable Energy Certificates
• Green Pricing

Green Marketing

Green power marketing refers to selling green power in the competitive marketplace, in which multiple suppliers and service offerings exist. In states that have established retail competition, customers may be able to purchase green power from a competitive supplier.

Connecticut

• Connecticut Clean Energy Options

  Beginning in April 2005, Connecticut's two investor-owned utilities, Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating, began to offer a simple, affordable program to their customers for purchasing clean energy such as wind power. In late 2006, Stakeholders started to explore a new offering that would convey the price stability of wind energy (and other renewable energy resources) to Connecticut consumers. This new offering is expected to become available in March 2008 when the current program expires.

• 20% By 2010 Campaign

  SmartPower Connecticut, a non-profit organization, runs the "20% by 2010" clean power marketing and awareness campaign. When a city, town, congregation, business, college, or other organization commits to the 20% by 2010 Campaign, it sends a signal to the market that clean energy is needed. The pledge helps build the clean energy market.

• Clean Energy Communities Program

  SmartPower Connecticut in partnership with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund developed the Clean Energy Communities Program, which assists communities in the purchase and support of clean energy.

Maine

• Maine Clean Power Plus from Wind and Hydro

  Offered by Maine Interfaith Power & Light.

Massachusetts

• GreenUp

  A renewable energy program offered by Massachusetts Electric Company. Through this program, Massachusetts Electric's customers can choose from seven green power offerings from four independent suppliers, all of which include some fraction of wind power.

• Clean Energy Choice Program

  The Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust enhances some of the offerings under the GreenUp program through its Clean Energy Choice Program. The program enables some payments to be tax deductible for federal income taxes and provides matching grants that benefit consumers' communities and low-income residents.

• Cape Light Compact Green

  Cape Light Compact, an opt-out consumer aggregation covering all 21 towns of Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, and Barnstable and Dukes counties, offers its customers the ability to purchase wind power.

Rhode Island

• GreenUp

  A renewable energy program offered by Narragansett Electric Company. Through this program, Narragansett Electric's customers can select from several green power offerings and suppliers, all of which include some fraction of wind power. For more information on these offerings, see:

  • Clean Energy RI, a state-sponsored clean energy awareness campaign

Back to Top

Renewable Energy Certificates

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are also known as green certificates, green tags, or tradable renewable certificates. Whether or not you have access to green power through your utility or a competitive electricity marketer, you can purchase RECs. RECs are typically sold separate from electricity service, so that customers need not switch from their current electricity suppliers in order to purchase them. Such offerings can be regional or national in scope.

• Regional: Massachusetts Energy Consumers Alliance has a REC-based offering called New England Wind.
• Nationally-based offerings are also available to New England customers. The Green Power Network Web site provides detailed information such offerings.

Back to Top

Green Pricing

Green pricing is an optional utility service. Participating customers pay a premium on their electric bill to cover the extra cost of the renewable energy. Currently, no monopoly utilities in New England offer wind-based green pricing. The Green Power Network Web site provides detailed information such as utilities offering green power by state, top ten programs, and a green pricing map.

Back to Top

Printable Version