DOE report sees price drops, high-priced fossil fuels driving markets for green power

摘要

The combination of retail competition, enhancements in renewable generation technology and higher fossil fuel prices is driving a significant growth in the green power industry, with 600 utilities offering green power programs to customers in 34 states, according to a new report from the Dept. of Energy. The number of residential customers buying green power -has more than doubled over the past five years, but the bigger gain in terms of power purchases has come from large businesses, which are increasingly seeing green power as a hedge against higher energy prices, officials said Monday.