The decisions made by state governments during the restructuring process will affect greenhouse gas emissions for many decades to come. There will be risks as restructuring opens the electricity market to competition. The drive for cheap energy could increase emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants if utilities turn toward inexpensive but environmentally damaging sources of power. But there will also be opportunities for environmental protection. Greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by allowing consumers to choose the source of the electricity they use.
Consumers consistently say they prefer clean energy.
If they support this preference with their pocketbooks, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions may be reduced as renewable energy sources claim a greater share of the nation's power generation mix. If consumers are to make informed decisions and feel confident that they are indeed purchasing a green product, they must be assured that information on the product is accurate and objective. One way to instill confidence in green power products is a voluntary certification and verification program. One such program is run by the Center for Resource Solutions, a nonprofit organization in San Francisco. States, regulators, and utilities around the country are paving the way for the marketing of green power by developing policies to inform consumers of electric generation sources and emissions.