I received info with my electric bill today ((PECO, a unit of Exelon Energy Delivery (NYSE: EXC )is our electricity provider)) touting its "PECO Wind" program as a way to reduce dependence upon fossil fuels while lowering pollution. Essentially, I can help PECO build wind farms in Pennsylvania by simply agreeing to pay an extra $7.62 per month for my electricity.
Hey, I'm all for environmental initiatives - they're important. In this case PECO is asking consumers to help build the infrastructure they need to supply wind energy. There's no promise that consumers generous enough to provide this up-front support will ever see a reduction in rates when the farms are actually in place.
So here's the debate: When you buy a hybrid car, you pay a bit more for the car. In doing so, you help the environment while receiving the benefit of lower costs to power the car. With PECO Wind, you still pay extra to help the environment, but there's no additional personal gain.
What do you think? Should the burden of paying for environmentally friendly fuel sources be the burden of the environmentally conscientious? Or should everyone have to contribute?
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