As for wind power at what price, states with an RPS have a lot of project developers running around trying to get projects going, giving utilities the ability to shop around to get the lowest price. But the project must then find an investor that finds it financially attractive in order to get built, not to mention many other permitting issues. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry can't simply force a utility (and ultimately consumers) to buy energy from inefficient wind farms.
Wind power could probably make a small dent in America's energy consumption, not so much with regards to gasoline, but helping to replace aging coal and oil-fired power plants - often grandfathered from current EPA standards. You'd still need plenty of "baseload" fossil fuel power for when the wind isn't blowing, but with whatever subsidies or tax break/credits each industry receives, wind power is currently just as cost-effective as new fossil fuel power plants (as in $/kWh).
BTW, companies that shop "green" energy to consumers for a premium are just lining their pockets. The wind farms are likely already up and running, power purchased has already been factored into the utility's rates, and they are just playing on consumer's feelings for the environment.
As for wind power at what price, states with an RPS have a lot of project developers running around trying to get projects going, giving utilities the ability to shop around to get the lowest price. But the project must then find an investor that finds it financially attractive in order to get built, not to mention many other permitting issues. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry can't simply force a utility (and ultimately consumers) to buy energy from inefficient wind farms.
Wind power could probably make a small dent in America's energy consumption, not so much with regards to gasoline, but helping to replace aging coal and oil-fired power plants - often grandfathered from current EPA standards. You'd still need plenty of "baseload" fossil fuel power for when the wind isn't blowing, but with whatever subsidies or tax break/credits each industry receives, wind power is currently just as cost-effective as new fossil fuel power plants (as in $/kWh).
BTW, companies that shop "green" energy to consumers for a premium are just lining their pockets. The wind farms are likely already up and running, power purchased has already been factored into the utility's rates, and they are just playing on consumer's feelings for the environment.