James Coburn
EDMOND — Edmond Electric has been recognized as a leader in green power across the nation.
Its Pure and Simple Wind Power program received two top 10 utility green power rankings issued by U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Ranking first in the nation is Edmond Electric’s wind power price premium charged to new customers of renewable power.
Edmond Electric also was listed as first in green-power sales when viewed as a percentage of total retail wind power electricity sales.
“We are pleased to offer a green option to our consumers,” said Charlie Burgett, Edmond Electric utility director. “It is just part of our effort to provide choices for Edmond customers.”
Edmond’s wind power generation program began in 2004. More than 800 utilities in the United States offer renewable energy programs.
Wind power is growing as a nationwide trend, Burgett said, but there remains room for growth for wind power as a generation supply alternative.
“In Edmond, almost 3 percent of residents use wind power,” Burgett said. “We really encourage participation by other customers.”
The University of Central Oklahoma is Edmond Electric’s largest wind power customer. Burgett said UCO’s use of wind power was the leading factor in Edmond Electric’s top ranking in green power sales as a percentage of total electricity sales.
“We’re happy to see Edmond has been recognized,” said Drake Rice, director of member services for the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority.
OMPA is the wholesale wind power supplier for Edmond Electric. Seven percent of OMPA’s energy is powered by wind, Rice said.
Burgett credits the City of Edmond’s Pure and Simple marketing program for communicating the environmental advantages of wind power.
“As long as we can maximize wind, it helps reduce the use of fossil fuels for the next generation of consumers,” Rice said.
VISIT http://edmondok.com/utility/electric to learn more about wind power.
