Dairyland Power Invests in Minnesota Wind Farm
28 October 2003 - 10:33AM
PR Newswire (US)
Dairyland Power Invests in Minnesota Wind Farm Renewable Energy
From the New Wind Farm Will Power 2,200 Homes LA CROSSE, Wis., Oct.
27 /PRNewswire/ -- Dairyland Power Cooperative is expanding its
renewable energy program with participation in the G. McNeilus Wind
Farm, located in Adams, Minn. A site dedication for the wind farm
was conducted today, with Minnesota state and local officials on
hand to celebrate the new source of renewable energy for
Dairyland's member cooperatives. Dairyland is purchasing the
electrical output of five turbines at the wind farm from G.
McNeilus Wind Energy. Together, the turbines will generate 7.5
megawatts (MW) of renewable energy for consumers in the Dairyland
system. This is the amount of electricity required by approximately
2,200 residential homes. Dairyland Power Cooperative President and
CEO William Berg was in attendance at the dedication to "flip the
switch" on one of the turbines and officially begin operation of
the renewable energy facility. Berg noted, "Dairyland's mission is
to 'provide competitively priced energy and services to our
customers and maximum value to our owners, consistent with the wise
use of resources.' As part of our renewable energy program, this
new wind farm exemplifies Dairyland's active commitment to that
standard." This latest project will add to Dairyland's existing
wind power portfolio, which includes partnership for energy output
of a wind turbine farm in Chandler, Minn. In addition, Dairyland
has recently contracted for several other renewable energy projects
-- fueled by dairy and swine manure and landfill waste -- as part
of its proactive approach to providing clean, efficient electricity
to its members. "Dairyland works hard to be ahead of the curve with
the amount and variety of renewable energy provided to our
members," said Dairyland Director of Planning Services Neil
Kennebeck. "As planners, it has been a very exciting year as we
continue to bring more of the best 'green' energy options into our
generation mix." The wind farm has one particularly uplifting
element. Funds from the sale of one of the Dairyland turbines will
be used by G. McNeilus Wind Energy to build and support an
orphanage for blind children in India. Within the orphanage will be
a school, taking children from kindergarten through junior college.
"We are all gratified that this business arrangement will benefit
these children, who currently are in dire circumstances. It is my
mission to see that this renewable energy program will also give a
renewed chance for a better life for the children, who have been
truly on their own in every sense," said Garwin McNeilus. With
headquarters in La Crosse, Wis., Dairyland provides wholesale
electricity to 25 member distribution cooperatives and 20 municipal
utilities. Dairyland's service area encompasses 62 counties in five
states (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan).
DATASOURCE: Dairyland Power Cooperative CONTACT: Deb Mirasola,
+1-608-787-1378, or Katie Thomson, +1-608-787-1323, both of
Dairyland Power Cooperative
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