Nov. 3, 2005 - Boulder exceeds goals of Wind Challenge; Becomes Green Power Community

Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005

Contact(s):
Carolyn Weinreich, Office of Environmental Affairs,
(303) 441-1914
Susan Innis, Western Resource Advocates,
(303) 444-1188, ext 221
Jodie Carroll, Media Relations, (303) 441-3155

City Web site: www.bouldercolorado.gov

Boulder exceeds goals of Wind Challenge;
Becomes Green Power Community

The Boulder Wind Challenge ended on Oct. 31 with 1,150 new wind power subscribers, which is over twice the initial goal of 500. Challenge subscribers purchased almost sixteen million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy, which has the same environmental benefits as taking 2,440 cars off the road for a year and saving 92 acres of trees from deforestation. Due in part to the challenge’s success, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated Boulder a Green Power Community, the first community in Colorado to receive this designation.

“We’re very proud of the Boulder community for showing their commitment to clean energy by more than doubling the challenge goal,” said Carolyn Weinreich, City of Boulder Office of Environmental Affairs. “Becoming a Green Power Community shows our environmental leadership to the rest of Colorado and the country.”

Green Power Communities are a new type of Partner for EPA’s Green Power Partnership, which provides assistance and recognition to organizations that demonstrate environmental leadership by choosing green power. Green Power Communities are recognized by EPA’s Green Power Partnership for having area homes, businesses, organizations and local governments voluntarily commit to switch a portion of their collective electric power usage to green power through individual and organizational purchases.

“The U.S. EPA is excited to recognize the Boulder Community as the first Green Power Community in Colorado ,” said Matt Clouse, program director of the EPA’s Green Power Partnership. “This collaborative effort between Boulder ’s local government, businesses, and residents to increase the area’s green power usage is a great example of environmental leadership for other communities to follow.”

The following local renewable energy suppliers participated in the Challenge: Clean and Green; Community Energy; Renewable Choice; and Xcel Energy through its Windsource program. Western Resource Advocates partnered with the City of Boulder to launch the Challenge.