Radnor Township Becomes National Leader With Wind Energy Purchase

[Originally from Green Power Network] Philadelphia, PA — February 25, 2003 — Radnor Township announced today that it will purchase 62% of its electricity from pollution-free, wind-generated electricity, making it the nation's leading wind energy purchaser among municipalities.

The electricity will be supplied by the new Mountaineer Wind Energy Center, the largest wind generating facility in the Eastern United States. Radnor is purchasing 1.4 million kilowatt hours of NewWind Energy™, a product of Pennsylvania-based Community Energy, Inc. (CEI), for a 3-year contract term.

Radnor Township used electricity savings resulting from energy efficient LED traffic lights to fund most of the purchase. Radnor also switched its energy supplier to the Energy Cooperative, saving additional money on its electric bill to help fund a portion of the wind energy purchase.

On February 10, Radnor Township Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to purchase the wind energy. Enrique R. Hervada, Radnor Township's 4th Ward Commissioner and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, said, "Personally I think it is important for Radnor Township to take a lead on environmental issues. Utilizing wind energy as an alternative to fossil-based fuels makes sense on so many levels. I hope it sends a positive message to our businesses, institutions, and residents that we can make a difference. The Board of Commissioners is constantly looking for ways to improve our costs and enhance our environment, and I feel this does both."

The Commissioners were guided by input from Radnor Township's Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC). Vince Cerniglia, EAC chair, is quoted as saying, "Radnor has again taken the initiative by leading the field in buying clean energy which will significantly increase our air quality while reducing our dependency on foreign oil. The EAC applauds the Board of Commissioners for their resolution in this matter.

"When wind power was first proposed to the EAC, we saw the immediate as well as the long-term benefits to the Township and the region. Delaware County is one of the 10 worst air quality locations in the nation, mostly due to the oil refineries, I-95, the Philadelphia proximity and the power plant at Eddystone. The Township's commitment to non-polluting energy will help that condition. The more we can opt for cleaner alternatives — such as wind and solar power — the cleaner our air will become. This is a significant step towards better air quality and the overall health of our residents."

Radnor's announcement came at the US Department of Energy's 2nd Wind Powering America Workshop at Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. The workshop was hosted by Clean Air Council, whose Pennsylvania Wind Campaign program advised the Radnor EAC on its wind power recommendation. Joseph Otis Minott, the Council's executive director, said "The citizen's power of the EAC was demonstrated by Radnor Township. More EACs should recommend a wind purchase to their municipal governments."

Brent Alderfer, CEO and President of Community Energy, said, "The Commissioners of Radnor Township deserve national acclaim for this visionary wind energy purchase. Wind energy requires no fuel and emits no pollution; it is the perfect energy source for these times."

The Mountaineer Wind Energy Center in West Virginia is the largest wind power project east of the Mississippi River. Each of the forty-four 1.5-megawatt turbines is 220 feet tall, with 115-foot blades. Exelon Power Team, based in Kennett Square, PA, agreed to purchase all of the electricity produced by the wind turbines for 20 years, allowing the project to go forward. The project operator/owner is FPL Energy, the largest U.S. generator of wind power. It currently has more than 20 wind farms in nine states. Community Energy markets the wind energy to customers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region through direct sales and partnerships with electricity suppliers.

Radnor's purchase of 1.4 million kilowatt-hours per year is equivalent to 35% of one wind turbine. Together with earlier commitments, approximately 25% of the Mountaineer facility's output is now under contract to regional end-users, totaling approximately 40 million kilowatt-hours.

Compared to the average electric generation in the Mid-Atlantic, the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center will offset approximately 200 million pounds of air pollution annually. This is the carbon dioxide equivalent of planting over 14 million trees or taking almost 29,000 cars off the road.

About Radnor:
Radnor Township was recently recognized by Philadelphia Magazine as one of the best places to live and work in the greater Philadelphia region. Consisting of Wayne, Radnor, St. Davids, Villanova, and parts of Bryn Mawr, Rosemont, and Newtown Square, the township is home to some of the nation's top colleges and corporations. Originally settled in the 1660s by a small group of Quakers from Radnorshire, Wales, the Township was established as a Home Rule Charter Community in 1976. A Board of Commissioners — elected officials from the seven township wards — governs the Township. More information is available at www.radnor.com.

About Radnor Township's Environmental Advisory Committee:
Radnor Township's Environmental Advisory Committee is a subcommittee of the Township's Board of Health, created six years ago to focus solely on the Township's environmental issues and to interact with other boards and commissions on all matters of environmental concern. Its seven members include standing members from the Board of Health, Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Board, and Shade Tree Commission, plus 3 at-large members, all of whom are appointed by the Township's Board of Commissioners.

About Community Energy, Inc.:
Community Energy, Inc. (CEI) is the leading marketer of wind-generated electricity, under the NewWind Energy TM brand. CEI customers include the eight largest retail (non-government) purchasers of wind-generated electricity in the nation. More information is available at www.newwindenergy.com.

About Energy Cooperative:
The Energy Cooperative is a nonprofit, member-owned cooperative with over 6,500 members throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. Licensed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission as an electricity supplier, the Cooperative provides low cost and renewable energy products for its customers by combining their buying power. More information is available at www.theenergyco-op.com.