This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.
October 25, 2005
Austin Energy Wins DOE Wind Power Award
DOE presented the 2005 Wind Power Pioneer Award to Austin Energy on October 25th. The city-owned utility of Austin, Texas, received the award for its leadership, demonstrated success, and innovation in its wind power program. Through Austin Energy's GreenChoice program, customers can voluntarily support four Texas wind farms. Subscribers pay a GreenChoice charge that stays fixed for up to 10 years, passing on to customers the benefit of long-term contracts for wind-generated electricity. This program feature, along with strong marketing and support from local government and businesses, has made the GreenChoice program the top-selling utility green power program in the United States for three years in a row. See the DOE press release.
The award was presented at American Public Power Association (APPA) conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Austin Energy was one of 11 public power utilities nominated this year for the award, which is cosponsored by the APPA and DOE's Wind Powering America program. Wind Powering America is committed to dramatically increasing the use of wind energy in the United States. See the Wind Powering America Web site.
