This week, after 2 years on a waiting list, my company was finally accepted to participate in the voter mandated Windsource® program with Excel Energy.
We are now an official manufacturing concern that produces enviro-friendly products using 100% wind power in the emerging Green revolution that is struggling to take hold in America.
photo: Excel Energy
In 2004, the voters of Colorado passed Amendment 37; an initiative that requires the state's largest utilities to obtain 3 percent of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2007 and 10 percent by 2015 as well as establish a standard net metering system for homeowners and ranchers with small photovoltaic (PV) systems to connect to the power grid. The measure also calls for 4 percent of the mandated amount of renewable energy to come from solar resources.
This was the first time in the Nation's history that a renewable energy portfolio standard was put directly before voters rather than processed through a state's legislature.
Wind power is surging in Colorado. Excel energy claims now to be the largest supplier of wind energy in the country.
In addition, we are adding 775 megawatts of wind capacity in four wind farms, Peetz Table. Logan Wind, Twin Buttes and cedar Creek, to bring the year-end 2007 total to about 1,083 megawatts. ( for Colorado)
1083 megawatts! That is enough power for 400,000 homes in Colorado.
Excel Energy was not always so enthusiastic for renewable energy.
The mandate had faced consistent and strong resistance from Excel Energy. Facing the possibility that voters could force the utility to use more renewable energy, Excel Energy mounted a full-scale attack campaign against Amendment 37.
Four years later, here's the new campaign from Excel Energy company...they're "Proud" now.
We're proud to have built Colorado's first commercial wind farm, our 30-megawatt Ponnequin Wind Farm in northern Colorado. We have purchased the entire energy output of the state's second wind farm, Ridgecrest, and the 162-megawatt Colorado Green wind farm near Lamar. By year-end 2006, we received a total of 283 megawatts of wind power from Colorado and 25 megawatts of wind power from Wyoming
And they should be proud. The gristmills of carbon energy turn slowly as big business and big energy begin to realize the profitability and sustainability of Green energy.
Texas and New Mexico
In 2006, we received a total of 130 megawatts of wind power from the Llano Estacado Wind Ranch near White Deer, Texas, and from John Deere sites in Hansford County. In April 2007, we added 160 megawatts of wind capacity from the Wildorado Wind Ranch in Oldham and Potter counties. By year-end 2007, we are planning to add up to 100 megawatts of wind capacity. We offer customers in New Mexico wind power through New Mexico's first voluntary wind energy program. By year-end 2006, we received 202 megawatts of wind power from Caprock Wind Ranch in Quay County, Llano Estacado and the San Juan Mesa facility near Elida, New Mexico.
Bi-partisan legislatures, voter initiatives, small business and homeowners working to bring renewable energy to America. This is the grassroots power that allows politicians and corporations to test the winds of voter sentiment.
Already 16 other states have enacted renewable energy requirements for their utilities and many require an even higher percentage of electrical generation to be from renewable energy than envisioned by Initiative 37.
Sign up for wind energy today as a baby step toward your Energy Independence.
The demand for Oil and Coal in America may evaporate into the wind...