Avon powered by real wind

AVON — Wind farms across Colorado are now producing 100 percent of Avon’s

electricity.

The town began this month buying wind-made electricity from Holy Cross

Energy to power street lights and town buildings like the recreation center

and town hall.

Fossil fuels aren’t burned to produce wind electricity, virtually

eliminating the carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. Wind

energy is widely considered to be more environmentally friendly.

Unlike the town of Vail and Vail Resorts, Avon isn’t buying “offsets” or

renewable energy certificates.

The energy being used by Avon is the same energy being produced by wind

farms, while those who buy offsets and renewable energy certificates are

actually buying guarantees that when a town uses electricity created by

burning fossil fuels, it’s replaced in the “grid” with an equal amount of

clean energy produced by wind farmers.

“These aren’t just credits to off-set our electricity use. This is a

hundred percent bona-fide wind power.” Town Manager Larry Brooks said.

Avon has been on a waiting list since 2006 with Holy Cross Energy to buy

wind power. The power is produced in Colorado at wind power farms located

in Ponnequin, Ridgecrest, Lamar, Peetz Table, Logan, Twin Buttes and Cedar

Creek.

The wind power is more expensive ‹ about 28 percent more than the

electricity the town used to buy. Based on 2007 energy use, the town will be

buying around 205,000 kilowatt hours of energy, costing around $61,000.

Town leaders say the extra cost is worth it to reduce the town’s carbon

footprint and lead residents in becoming a better stewards of the

environment.

“Governments as a whole are one of the largest energy consumers in the

world,” said Jennifer Strehler, Avon’s public works and transportation

director. “We have a unique opportunity to lead by example in a way that

positively impacts climate change.”

Avon resident Cameron Parker, a weekly recycler and bus rider, said he was

pleased to see Avon start using wind power. “The more people who invest in

that stuff, the better,” Parker said. “I’d like to see every town here do

something like that.”

Buying wind power is the most recent in a flurry of environmental action

from the town. Avon recently finished an audit of its energy use to see

where it can reduce its carbon emissions and is developing a comprehensive

energy plan. The town also recently bought a hybrid bus and a

high-efficiency diesel bus.

Staff Writer Matt Terrell can be reached at 748-2955 or

mterrell@vaildaily.com.