If alternative energy production comes on line, it will be the big companies that will bring it on. It will not come on line until it becomes profitable, whether next year, or 25 years from now. Even Exxon is spending millions to see if it is profitable to have algae oil production. It is their money, but they will not expand it until oil gets way over $100 a barrel and stays there. It has been shown that wind power does compete with natural gas cost wise. It is still cheaper to tap into a local gas main to run gas turbines for electricity than build the large scale power transmission lines to bring wind power to where power is needed. It is true that the plains states can produce a lot of wind powered electricity, but getting it east of the Mississippi and the west coast where it is needed is the expensive hurdle no one wants to cross yet.