University of Pennsylvania Announces Largest Wind Energy Purchase In The Nation - To Supply 5 Percent Of University's Annual Need
PHILADELPHIA, PA — October 24, 2001 — The University of Pennsylvania announced today that it will make the largest retail purchase of wind energy in the U.S. through an agreement with Community Energy, Inc. (CEI). Penn's leadership was announced today along with other wind energy leaders at the dedication of Pennsylvania's newest wind farms, the Exelon-Community Energy Wind Farms at Somerset and Mill Run. The event is being held at the Somerset Wind Farm, located a couple hundreds yards from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Penn's announcement coincides with Pennsylvania Governor Schweiker's proclamation of "Wind Energy Week" for the week of October 22nd throughout the Commonwealth in honor of the progress of this latest fast-growing energy technology.
University of Pennsylvania, together with Penn State University, Philadelphia Suburban Water, Carnegie Mellon University and Giant Eagle, Inc., have signed on to purchase 75% of what the combined 24-megawatt wind farms will produce annually. Penn alone will purchase the output of five of the 215-foot-tall 1.5-megawatt wind turbines, equivalent to more than 30 percent of the total energy generated from the two new wind farms. This purchase represents the largest retail wind energy purchase in the nation to date and will satisfy 5 percent of the University's annual energy needs. Barry Hilts, Penn's associate vice president of facilities; Mike Cole, director of facility services; and students from the Undergraduate Assembly and the Penn Environmental Group are representing the University at today's ceremonies.
Barry Hilts, said, "We're very excited to be part of a clean energy future for Pennsylvania and the nation. This is the kind of innovative business and technical leadership that Penn and its student's strongly support."
"With the leading purchase of New Wind Energy, Penn has raised the bar while leading the way to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future," said Brent Alderfer, president of CEI. "Penn students, faculty, staff, and alumni can take pride knowing five large wind turbines are producing new clean home-grown energy on their behalf. This is the kind of environmental leadership that makes a real difference."
John Hanger of Penn Future stated, "Congratulations to the University of Pennsylvania for leading the way on buying wind power from Pennsylvania. They have invested in the State and all of our future by improving taking step toward a clean energy future."
University of Pennsylvania Contact: Julie McWilliams (215) 898-1422
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