NStar Green allows customers to buy wind energy (at a price)

Interesting. NStar is offering 'green' power from onshore wind farms but will need to raise electric bills for that power. Yet, Cape Wind says it will save us money on our electric bills. How could that be when offshore wind farms are more than double the cost of onshore wind farms?

So here is what I think. I think you should investigate Cape Wind's promise to lower our electric bills and get back to us.

What does it mean for me to buy "all my electricity" from the wind farms, when the wind doesn't blow all the time? In other words, given the intermittent nature of wind generation, if I make that choice, how much of my actual electricity consumption will be able to be supplied by the wind farms?

I've enrolled in NStar Green, but help me understand something:

"Customers who opt to enroll in NSTAR Green will pay a premium of either 1.75 cents or 3 cents/kWh more than the active Basic Service price, depending on which option they choose. " (from the NStar press release)

So... why does the price I pay for wind continually vary with the price of oil (basic service)? Something screwy is going on there. (I am happy to pay a constant fixed amount, which might be higher than variable rates, but the price of wind power should not vary! They signed a 10-year agreement with 2 suppliers! What gives?

what gives is that this is all shame. there is no such thing as delivering green energy to your home. all the power, regardless of how it is generated, is fed on to the electric grid and homes are connected to that grid. If you read the article carefully NSTAR purchased enough power for "60000 homes" yet "millions of massachusetts residents will now have the option... " that can't be true just do the math the average family has 4.3 people x 60000 homes = about 250000 not millions.
i applaud those who are willing to pay the extra cost but are we just lining NSTAR's purses. we should be asking what's in it for us - fewer nuclear or fossil fuel burning plants. Why can we do what Germany has done - they generate about 30% of their power with solar power. Much of it generated by individuals who have put solar panels every where - why you might ask - the government is paying those that generate the solar energy a premium for their excess energy that is put on to the grid. Now that's really green power you home and get money back by selling your excess. - few plants are being built as the older ones are going off line.
just food for thought

you are correct the cost of wind energy should be constant.

Those who only want the cheapest power right now will continue to pollute. The price of wind will not rise and benefits of a cleaner and cooler planet versus fossil fuels that will always pollute and continue to rise in cost is a no brainer. The Town of Barnstable is filing law suits against our wind farm which is stunning considering 80% of our residents want it. Go figure...