People blown away by wind energy

One of the answers to California’s energy problems may be blowing in the wind, at least according to the more than 80 percent of Californians who say they favor the expansion of wind energy production in the state.

More than 96 percent of Californians believe wind power should be a part of the state’s future mix of renewable energy resources, according to a survey to be released today of 500 Californians by California State University, Sacramento professor Dennis Tootelian for FPL Energy. The Florida-based energy company is California’s largest wind energy producer.

"That’s a fantastic result," said Tyson Slocum, director of the Public Citizen’s Energy Program in Washington, D.C., of the study. "This shows there is a desire for alternatives."

The FPL study also reported 90 percent of Californians expressed support for the state’s mandate to have renewable energy sources provide 20 percent of the state’s power needs by 2010.

By Janis Mara, BUSINESS WRITER

Full Story: http://www.insidebayarea.com/business/ci_4360773