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NATURE

Waco challenged to use more wind power

On Earth Day, TU Electric and York Research will add four wind turbines to the Texas renewable energy generating system   

April 14, 1999
Web posted at: 3:00 EDT





If Waco Mayor Mike Morrison gets his way, his Texas city will have one quarter of its electricity generated by green power producers. The mayor issued a challenge to Waco last week to have 25 percent of the city's electricity obtained from renewable energy sources.

On Earth Day, April 22, Waco will get a head start toward this goal with the start up of the four largest wind turbines in the United States. These turbines, constructed by York Research Corporation, a global renewable energy project owner, developer and operator, will supply Waco residents with renewable energy.

Waco residents can now purchase renewable energy from their local electric utility, TU Electric/Lone Star Gas. Called TU Renew, the program is an easy way to improve the environment by obtaining a portion of one's energy from wind power.

TU Electric/Lone Star Gas is one of only a handful of companies across the nation to institute a renewable energy option. These offerings have been applauded by consumers and environmental groups, and participation levels in some areas have reached almost 10 percent.

Wind power installations have grown rapidly in the United States recently, with approximately 235 megawatts of new capacity added across 10 different states in 1998, according to the Worldwatch Institute.

"Recent research has shown that a majority of Texans want the option to buy renewable energy," said Terry Preuninger, Waco district manager of TU Electric/Lone Star Gas. "We know that Waco area residents are interested in obtaining power from renewable sources, and we want to give our customers choices when it comes to electricity."

Other cities participating in the TU Renew program include Woodway, Robinson, Lacy Lakeview, Beverly Hills and Bellmead.

Until recently, wind power in large quantities was too expensive to attract many customers, however, over the past 15 years, costs have decreased to a level only slightly above TU Electric's average cost for generating commercially viable electricity.

Copyright 1999, Environmental News Network, All Rights Reserved



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