| Although it is much less expensive to initially get | | | | state governments that end up paying for as much as |
| hooked into the local electric company's grid than it is | | | | 50% of their total green energy systems costs. |
| to set up and hook into wind turbines, in the long run | | | | In addition, there are 35 states at the time of this |
| one saves money by utilizing the wind for one's | | | | writing where these homeowners are allowed to sell |
| energy needs while also becoming more independent. | | | | their excess energy back to the power company |
| Not receiving an electric bill while enjoying the | | | | under what are called net metering laws. The rates |
| advantages of the modern electrically-driven lifestyle is | | | | that they are being paid by the local power companies |
| a wondrous feeling. | | | | for this energy are standard retail rates in other words, |
| Electric bills and fuel bills are rising steadily but the cost | | | | the homeowners are actually profiting from their own |
| of wind turbine energy is zero, and the cost of installing | | | | energy production. |
| and hooking up a turbine is steadily coming down as | | | | Some federal lawmakers are pushing to get the |
| demand rises and more commercial success is | | | | federal government to mandate these tax breaks and |
| realized by various companies producing the turbines | | | | other wind power incentives in all 50 states. Japan and |
| and researching technologies to make them ever | | | | Germany already have national incentive programs in |
| more efficient. | | | | place. However, A lot of this is handled regionally by |
| In addition, people are moving away from the traditional | | | | state law. There wouldn't really be a role for the |
| electric grids and the fossil fuels for personal reasons | | | | federal government, the Energy Department's Craig |
| including desire for greater independence, the desire to | | | | Stevens says. |
| live remotely or rurally without having to go primitive, | | | | And as might be imagined, there are power companies |
| political concerns such as fears of terrorist strikes on | | | | who feel that it's unfair that they should have to pay |
| oil fields or power grids, or concerns about the | | | | retail rates to private individuals. We should [only have |
| environment. | | | | to] pay you the wholesale rate for ... your electricity, |
| Again, this motivation to get away from the traditional | | | | according to Bruce Bowen, Pacific Gas & Electric's |
| energy sources is the same one that causes people | | | | director of regulatory policy. |
| to seek the power of the wind for their energy, giving | | | | However, the companies seem to be more worried |
| more business opportunities to profit from wind turbine | | | | about losing short term profits than about the benefits, |
| production and maintenance, which drives their costs | | | | especially in the long run, of the increased use of wind |
| down for the consumers. | | | | turbines or wind farms. Head of the Center for Energy |
| In nearly thirty states at the time of this writing, | | | | Efficiency and Renewable Technologies of California |
| homeowners who remain on the grid but who still | | | | V. John White points out, It's quality power that |
| choose to use wind energy (or other alternative | | | | strengthens the grid. |
| forms) are eligible for rebates or tax breaks from the | | | | |