FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES, A GROWING NUMBER of consumers are
able to choose who supplies their electric power and, perhaps
more importantly, where that power comes from. Evidence is
mounting that this ability to exercise choice may give a long-
needed shot in the arm to the deployment of renewable energy
technologies. National polls consistently reveal that between 40
and 70 percent of those sampled say they would pay a premium for
environmental protection or for renewable energy, and utility
company surveys reinforce those findings. %n1%n Utilities,
affiliates and independent power marketers have all begun to act
on this widespread public support, offering environmentally
preferred power products and services through various "green
power" offerings. The source of power is important because the
electric power industry is a leading contributor to the nation's
air quality problems. According to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, electricity generation is responsible for 66
percent of sulfur dioxide, 2