Pennsylvania's mountain ranges make the state one of the best locations on the East Coast to generate wind energy. Brent Alderfer is president of Community Energy, Incorporated, which currently operates two wind farms in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Alderfer says wind is fast becoming an affordable alternative to traditional energy sources.

"The newer technologies now allow us to produce wind energy here in Pennsylvania that's cost effective," says Alderfer. "It's still a little bit more expensive than conventional coal and nuclear, but it's now within striking distance of conventional electricity." Alderfer adds as more customers sign up for wind energy, more turbines will be put up, making wind power even more affordable.

Judy Wicks, owner of The White Dog Cafe, says the mission of her restaurant is to serve customers, employees, the community, and the natural environment. That's why, despite the premium she has to pay, Wicks thought it was important to make a "clean energy" purchase.

"The White Dog uses somewhere around 360,00 kilowatts of electricity a year," says Wicks. "By converting it to wind power rather then the traditional sources, we're displacing the emission of over 400,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of taking 31 cars off the road or planting around 3,000 trees."

Wicks says she's very concerned about the threats of global warming and has been waiting for the chance to run the cafe on alternative energy.

"I feel grateful that in Pennsylvania we have the opportunity to buy wind power to offset carbon dioxide and other pollutants which cause acid rain and smog."

Wicks says she's also making efforts to reduce her business's energy consumption by switching to energy saving light bulbs and improving the restaurant's insulation, which helps to offset the extra cost of wind power.