It is proposed that Washington adopt funding for renewable energy of 0.3 cents per kWh. Stable, long-term funding is important for the success of renewables. Therefore, the duration of this funding will be ten years, with potential for renewal in 2010. Many customers are not aware of the sources being used to produce their energy, and do not understand the benefits of utilizing clean, renewable resources. People generally overestimate how much of their electricity comes from renewable sources and underestimate how much comes from polluting fossil fuel sources 4 .
Many suppliers make confusing environmental claims that can be misleading to the average customer.
Therefore, it is recommended that Washington require disclosure labels that are uniform, simple and easy to understand. Companies should be required to disclose the content of different electricity products. Also, disclosure should allow averaging of renewable generation over a period of time. For example, averaging over monthly or seasonal periods will allow wind generators in Washington to sell more of their generation to customers. This funding could also be used for general education on retail choice.