Press Releases
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November 20, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Walz, Communications Director,
(218) 299-5407
Chris
Reed, Energy Services and Marketing Director, (218) 299-5199
SECOND
TURBINE EARNS MOORHEAD PUBLIC SERVICE FIRST PLACE
Less than one
month after Moorhead Public Service (MPS) asked customers to
"Help Moorhead Catch Its Second Wind," the utility has
already gained enough support to build its second wind turbine under
the Capture The Wind™ program. With the support of over 400 new
Capture The Wind™ members, MPS is now ranked first nationally for Customer
Participation Rates according to the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory (NREL).
As the
nation's leading center for renewable energy research, NREL focuses on
developing new energy technologies which will benefit both the
environment and the economy. Lori Bird, energy analyst for NREL,
explains, "With more than 7 percent of its customers subscribed,
Moorhead Public Service now has the highest percentage of customers
participating in a renewable energy program of any utility in the
country.
"We are
very lucky to have such an immense amount of customer support for our
wind energy program," says energy services and marketing director
Christopher Reed. "The enormous support for our first wind
turbine left us with a waiting list of about 100 customers."
MPS's Capture
The Wind™ program is also ranked fourth nationally by NREL in the Premium
Charged for New, Customer-Driven Renewable Power category for its
low wind power rate. Bill Schwandt, the utility's general manager
says, "We wanted the program to be accessible to customers who
wanted to invest in clean, renewable energy projects." For just a
half-penny more per kWh, residential customers can choose to buy
either all of their electricity or a block of 1,000 kWh per month at
the wind power rate. For the average residential customer, that means
about $5 more each month. Commercial customers are also encouraged to
participate and are offered the choice of buying either all of their
electricity at the wind power rate or a block of 1,500 kWh each month.
MPS's first
wind turbine began generating electricity on May 14, 1999. Located on
the northeast edge of Moorhead near Centennial Park, the turbine has
become a local landmark. Ken Norman, the president of the Moorhead
Public Service Commission, says, "To get such quick and
enthusiastic support from the customers of Moorhead Public Service the
second time around shows that the people of Moorhead are eager to
increase their efforts to bring more renewable wind energy to our
community."
Vi Klaudt, a
customer of MPS and a new supporter of the Capture The Wind™ program
adds, "I used to live on a farm, and we had our own wind charger
that generated electricity. I've always felt that the wind could be
used for larger scale production of electricity." Klaudt
continues, "We're like the Saudi Arabia of wind energy. We have
great potential, and I don't think we should overlook that."
The second
turbine will be located approximately 2000 feet east of the first
turbine. "We hope to have our second Capture The Wind™ turbine
erected and generating energy by October 1, 2001," adds Reed.
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