2006 will be the year of renewables. Renewable energy has become a financially and technically viable option. WRI is playing a role in helping build the corporate market for renewable power. Our Green Power Market Development Group is a unique commercial and industrial partnership that has catalyzed some of the largest corporate purchases of wind, solar, and biomass energy in the country. Whole Foods Market, the natural foods grocery chain, recently announced it will buy enough wind power to cover its power use at all of its US stores, bakeries, distribution centers, regional offices, and headquarters. The commitment, facilitated by WRI, makes Whole Foods the biggest user of wind power in the country.

I also want to note that the governors of several western states are nearing a commitment for 30,000 megawatts of green power purchases. While there will be debate over large-scale energy projects, and perhaps a rush to new coal-fired power plants, the most interesting outcome will have to do with renewables.

Last month, WRI and fourteen companies jointly announced new green power purchases totaling 360 megawatts (the average of a coalfired power plant). That's a lot of solar, wind, and biofuels. Both customers and investors will drive this market in 2006.