October 25, 2005 News Media Release

Austin Energy Wins 2005 Wind Power Pioneer Award

Austin Energy was won the 2005 Wind Power Pioneer Award from the U.S. Department of Energy. Austin Energy was cited for its leadership and innovation in its wind power program.

The Utility currently has 213 megawatts of wind projects under contract in West Texas with the two largest projects on King Mountain near McCamey and a new wind farm west of Abilene. The 213 MW of wind is enough to power about 49,000 homes. The projects amount to one the largest public power commitments to wind by any utility in the nation. Austin Energy has committed to meet 20 percent of its energy needs with wind and other renewable sources by 2020.

Wind power is Austin Energy’s largest renewable energy source for the GreenChoice program, which has led the nation the last three years in a row in green power sales, outperforming nearly 600 utility green power programs in 34 states. This year, Green Choice sales will top 440 million kilowatt-hours with more than 8,200 residential customers and 350 businesses subscribing. More than 300 of the Austin businesses subscribe to renewable energy for 100% of their annual electricity use, giving Austin more 100% green powered businesses than any other city in America and some of the largest renewable energy users in the nation.

“We congratulate Austin Energy for its innovation and commitment to wind power and other renewable sources,” said Douglas L. Faulkner, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “They have demonstrated how wind power can contribute to a cleaner environment, a stronger local economy and act as a hedge against rising fuel costs. Austin’s success and ambitious plans suggest that wind power is ready to become a mainstream energy source for America.”

Subscribers to GreenChoice pay a green power charge instead of the conventional fuel charge on their monthly bills. The GreenChoice charge stays fixed for 10 years, providing a hedge if the conventional fuel charge increases due to the rising costs of fossil fuels. The Department of Energy cited this feature as well as a strong marketing campaign and support from local government and businesses, for Austin Energy’s success in promoting and selling wind power.

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For more information, contact Ed Clark, Public Information.
Phone: (512) 322-6514
Pager: (512) 802-2000