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.