Green Pricing Programs

In 2009, a total of 680 electric industry participants reported having customers in green pricing programs, 6 percent more than in 2008.  The number of customers in green pricing programs increased for the third consecutive year in 2009, reaching a high of 1,123,778 out of a nationwide customer base of 143,497,060³⁵ (Table 5.1).  figure data Texas had the most customers with 316,585 in 2009, followed by Oregon with 127,290 and California with 85,535.  Although participation varied widely, every state had some green pricing customers, except Alaska, Hawaii, and New Hampshire. The net increase in customers for the year was 140,783, led by large increases in Texas and New York.  There were also some states (such as Maryland and Florida) with sharp decreases.  Ninety-four percent of green pricing customers nationwide were residential.

Net Metering Programs

A total of 540 electric industry participants reported having net metering customers in 2009, with customers in every state except Alaska and Tennessee (Table 5.2). figure data   Net metering customers totaled 96,506 in 2009, 38 percent more than in 2008 (Figure 5.2).  California had, by far, the largest number of net metering customers with 53,187, or 55 percent of the U.S. total. California also accounted for slightly more than a quarter of the increase in 2009. Ninety-one percent of net metering customers nationwide were residential.

³⁵See also EIA, Electric Power Annual 2009, table 7.1