Dive Brief:
- Colorado Springs Utilities has signed a deal with Xcel Energy to purchase 20,000 MWh of wind energy, which it will offer to customers under a special rate.
- Wind power is available for purchase in 100-KWh blocks for $2.14 per block for residential customers and at higher rates for commercial customers.
- According to the utility, purchasing one block of wind power for a year saves the equivalent of one ton of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be emitted by fossil fuel generation.
Dive Insight:
Colorado Springs Utilities is giving customers the chance to back wind power: "You’ll help support a cleaner, healthier community," the utility told customers.
"By offering a wind power alternative to customers, we help influence future electric generation while building the market for renewable energy within the state," the utility said. "Diversifying our energy supply helps protect our natural resources and lay thefoundation for clean, reliable energy for future generations."
Commercial customers can participate for less than $2.25 per month, although prices vary based on rate class.
The program is limited to 20,000 MWh, and according to CSU purchasing one block of wind power for 12 months is equivalent to saving the emissions of driving 1,200 miles a year in an SUV.
The utility included in its description of the rate program a defense of wind power's environmental impacts, pointing out the primary environmental concern is its effect on birds.
"The wind farms we purchase our wind power from in Colorado and Wyoming are in locations that pose little or no risk to bird or wildlife populations," the utility said.
