Largest Ever Wind Power Commitments Set
EarthVision Environmental News
05/02/00

http://www.earthvision.net/ColdFusion/News_Page1.cfm?NewsID=10089

[Fair Use: For Educational/Research Purposes Only]

DENVER, CO, May 2, 2000 - The largest ever plan to purchase electricity generated by the wind came to fruition recently when regional offices of federal government agencies located along the Colorado Front Range - from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs - committed to purchase more than 10 megawatts of this power. This is enough wind power to meet the electricity needs of more than 3500 average size homes in Colorado. Thirty agencies will make the purchase through Public Service Co. of Colorado's Windsource program, and through other local utilities' wind energy programs, over the next several years.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Denver Federal Executive Board (DFEB), a group composed of the heads of government agencies in the Denver area, organized the purchase by soliciting agencies to participate in the Windsource program. The US Department of Energy's Golden Field Office, Denver Regional Office and NREL; the US General Services Administration; and the US Environmental Protection Agency supported DFEB in the effort. Public Service Co. became a partner in the purchase by agreeing to pursue expansion of its wind energy generation facility over the next several years to meet the demand.

The purchase represents a significant portion of the electricity used by the agencies and is in compliance with Executive Order 13123 issued by President Clinton for "greening of the government." The purchase also supports the Energy Department's Wind Powering America goals calling for Federal purchase of wind-generated power and Energy Secretary Richardson's recent Department-wide commitment to buy three percent of its total electricity needs from non-hydro renewable energy sources by 2005, and 7.5 percent of its total electricity purchases from green power by 2010.

"The increasing use of renewable energy sources such as wind power holds the promise of reducing our nation's reliance on fossil fuels, thus enhancing our national security and protecting the environment," said Secretary Richardson. "Federal agencies in Colorado are setting an example for the rest of the nation and the leaders of business and industry, and state and local governments."

The agencies will pay a small premium for each 100 kilowatt/hours of electricity. To help offset the additional cost, the agencies will work through the Federal Energy Management Program and with Public Service Co. to improve energy efficiency in the agency's facilities and use the savings to purchase the wind power.

"We're delighted to be working with the federal facilities in Colorado to help them meet their commitment to wind energy," said Chuck Fuller, vice president of generation and thermal energy for New Century Energies, Public Service Co.'s parent company. "Colorado has truly taken a leadership role in making wind power a commercial success, demonstrating a bright future and strong market for renewable energy in this country."

Begun in 1997, Public Service Company's Windsource program is the largest, customer-driven wind energy program in the country, with more than 15,000 subscribers. Wind power for the program currently comes from the company's Ponnequin Wind Facility, located in Northern Colorado. The facility has 29 turbines, capable of producing up to 20 megawatts of electricity. Public Service Co. is in the midst of regulatory proceedings with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to determine specific expansion plans for additional wind resources for this federal purchase as well as for other customers.

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2000

Answers

...Executive Order 13123 issued by President Clinton for "greening of the government."...

1999-06-03
Executive Order 13123 on Greening the Government

http://www.pub.whitehouse.gov/uri- res/I2R?urn:pdi://oma.eop.gov.us/1999/6/4/6.text.3

2000-04-22
Executive Order 13148 on Environmental Management

http://www.pub.whitehouse.gov/uri- res/I2R?urn:pdi://oma.eop.gov.us/2000/4/24/10.text.2

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2000