West Virginia Wind Farm To Power D.C. Area

The largest wind farm east of the Mississippi River was dedicated today at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center on Backbone Mountain in the Thomas/Parsons area of Tucker County, West Virginia.

The 66 megawatt Mountaineer Wind Energy Center features 44 NEG Micon wind turbines that stand about 228 feet tall with 100 foot blades. The facility produces enough electricity to power 22,000 average homes.

FPL Energy owns the facility and operates it under a 20 year wholesale power agreement with Exelon Corporation. Washington Gas Energy Services, under a marketing agreement with Community Energy, Inc., makes wind power from the new wind facility available to its customers.

About 10,000 residential and commercial customers in the Washington, DC region are purchasing some or all of their electricity from the new wind facility. Customers include the U.S. Army, American University, Catholic University, the National Geographic Society, the Fairmont Hotel, the Bullis School and Ecoprint.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is purchasing wind energy for part of the power needed for its Washington, DC headquarters. “Wind power is an important part of the solution to global warming,” said Katherine Silverthorne, director of World Wildlife Fund’s Climate Change Program. “Wind power from West Virginia can help WWF and others in our nation’s capital take part in the transition to a clean energy future.”

Austin Grill has signed up to purchase 100 percent wind energy at all of its restaurants in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. Austin Grill Chief Operating Officer Chris Patterson said, “Austin Grill’s decision to support and promote wind energy is a serious step for cleaner air in and around the nation’s capital. It is an important and necessary investment. We hope our 100 percent commitment to clean energy will inspire residents and local businesses to follow our lead.”

Compared to the average electric generation in the mid-Atlantic region, the wind project will offset approximately 200 million pounds of air pollution annually. This is the carbon dioxide equivalent of planting over 14 million trees or taking 14,000 cars off the road.
Provided by theEnvironmental News Service.