* Creating energy business incubators;

* Making $5 million in state funding available as low-interest loans for start-up companies which focus on energy technology innovation;

* Remove limits on how much energy citizens can sell back to utilities through wind generation;

* Offer state tax credits for "net-zero energy homes;"

* Sales tax holiday for American-made, energy efficient appliances; and

* Bipartisan think-tank to search for best practices on energy policies.

Meanwhile, Culver said "Regulated monopolies have little incentive to provide greater capacity if their profit margins are guaranteed."

Electric utilities have protected geographic areas in the state currently with rates set by a commission.

Allowing the private sector to build power plants would lower costs, Culver said. "It's a proven fact that competition brings out the best in companies," he said. "It forces business to find ways to do things better and cheaper. Without competition, there are always inefficiencies."