Solar energy and wind power are also ranked highest of all electricity sources on a number of other factors, including safety, cost, abundance, national selfreliance, meeting growing energy demands, stimulating economic development, diversifying our energy mix, adding high-tech jobs, and improving our economy. The most important environmental problems defined by the survey respondents are water pollution, air pollution, and resource depletion. Respondents indicate that they perceive only a moderate link between energy and environmental problems. This may be because the connection between energy and water pollution is not clear to homeowners. When asked to rank 11 renewable energy sources that would best meet the energy needs of Colorado, homeowners most frequently select PV, wind power, and passive solar energy.
Most homeowners favor the idea of utilities adding renewables to their resource mix.
Sharing the cost of developing renewables, either through federal subsidies, rate-basing, or a combination of an electricity rate increase and green pricing, appears to be the most favored solution to the problem of funding the development of renewables. Nineteen percent say they are unwilling to pay a higher electricity rate for green power. Respondents were asked to assume that the use of renewable electricity would, for the immediate future, depend on the voluntary actions of electricity customers. They were asked whether they would choose to pay more for renewable electricity. Reasons for favoring restructuring emphasize competition and keeping prices down.