Join the 2008 Boulder County Wind Challenge!
The goal: 3000 new wind power subscribers in Boulder County by July 31.
Why Sign-Up?
- Wind power is clean, does not produce greenhouse gases, and is an infinite resource
- It costs an average of $2-$6 per household per month and only $8-$100 per month for businesses
- Signing up adds real wind energy to the grid and helps Boulder County's climate action goals
We'll be tracking sign-ups from April 1 through July 31 and will publish the results in the Daily Camera and on our News page.
Choose from among the following Green-e certified wind power retailers:
Since 1997, Xcel Energy's Windsource® program has provided residential and business customers with an option to purchase clean renewable energy from Colorado wind farms. Windsource is the largest green energy program in the United States. Rates vary quarterly based on seasonal fuel cost credits, but customers can expect to pay between .75c to $3 per 100 kWh block. As of April 1, 2008, the cost is .75c per 100 kWh block. www.XcelEnergy.com/windsource-co or call 800-895-4999.
Longmont Power & Communications, Longmont's community-owned electric provider, has offered renewable energy since 1999 as a way everyone in Longmont can work together to enhance our environment. Optional renewable energy is available at $1.50 per block of 100 kWh for residential customers and $7.50 per block of 500 kWh for commercial customers. You can join other supporters of clean energy and subscribe to Longmont Power & Communications' renewable energy by visiting our web site at www.ci.longmont.co.us/lpc (click on the wind challenge icon) or call 303-651-8386.
Founded in 1999, Community Energy is one of the nation's leading suppliers of renewable energy. We are part of the world's largest wind energy developer with offices in Boulder, CO. Community Energy offers NewWind Energy® from wind farms nationwide starting at $5 per month for 200 kWh. www.NewWindEnergy.com or call 1 (866) WIND-123.
NativeEnergy, with offices in Boulder and Denver, offers Green-e certified CoolWatts™ new wind energy credits, and CO2 offsets services that drive construction of Native American, farmer and community-owned renewable energy projects. CoolWatts starts at $2 per 200 kWh. Businesses purchasing more than 100,000 kWh/year should call for customized services and prices. www.NativeEnergy.com or call 800-924-6826.
Based in Boulder, Renewable Choice Energy is a leading provider of renewable energy to organizations and individuals around the country. The company's goal is to provide opportunities to help move our society towards a more sustainable future. Renewable Choice Energy offers two plans for residential customers: $5/month (250kWh) for individuals or $15/month (750kWh) for families. Customized plans for businesses are also available. Go to www.RenewableChoice.com or call 877-810-8670.
Wind Challenge FAQs
What is the 2008 Boulder County Wind Challenge?
The 2008 Wind Challenge seeks 3000 new residential and commercial wind power subscribers throughout Boulder County by July 31, 2008.
Residential FAQs
Business FAQs
Residential FAQs
Why should I participate in the Boulder County Wind Challenge?
By joining, you will become part of the solution to global climate change. The city of Boulder and Boulder County are working hard to help residents and businesses find ways to reduce their carbon footprints (the amount of energy they are responsible for using in households, offices, and from transportation). The Wind Challenge is an easy, affordable, tangible way for you to participate in this effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If you offset your home electricity use 100% with wind power, you can reduce your home energy carbon footprint from 40-60%!*
How does signing up for wind power reduce my environmental impact?
The energy used in our homes is generated from a number of sources, of which the vast majority is coal and natural gas. Electricity produced from renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar) has positive environmental benefits as it does not generate greenhouse gases, air pollution or water pollution. Renewable energy providers (such as wind farms) sell the electricity they generate to utilities and sell Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to the consumer public. These RECs represent the environmental benefits of the renewable energy that is produced. For example, each megawatt of electricity created by a wind farm that is sold by a provider can only be sold to the consumer public one time. When those megawatts are bought up, more turbines need to be built, so only with our purchases will the demand for new wind continue. Therefore, our collective efforts to add more renewable energy to the power grid decrease the need for new coal power plants.
When I sign up for wind power, how does it affect the electricity coming into my building?
The energy you purchase through wind power is fed into the electricity grid and becomes a part of the mix of electricity flowing to your building. It is impossible to confirm the actual percentage of energy derived from the wind turbines, however all wind energy added to the grid displaces the equivalent amount of coal or natural gas-derived electricity that would previously have been transmitted to your building.
How do I choose between providers?
All providers are Green-e certified, which means you can be assured you paying for viable wind energy. There are differences in price and business plans - contact providers for details.
Are there other ways to reduce my carbon footprint?
The beClimateSmart.com website has its own carbon calculator. Start there, and then check the "What Can I Do?" section of the beClimateSmart.com website for resources. The most important step is to make all the energy efficiency improvements you can afford for your home or business. Buying wind power helps further reduce or offset the remaining energy you need to use.
* All estimates are averages as we cannot account for variances in a home's electricity use. The average Colorado household using gas and electricity can assume 60% of its energy use is from electricity and 40% from gas. Offsetting a home's electricity use with 100% wind power allows the average household to reduce its home energy carbon footprint by 60%.
Business FAQs
How will participating in the Boulder County Wind Challenge help my business?
Buying wind power demonstrates your company's environmental leadership and can strengthen your relationship with your customers, partners, employees, shareholders, and the Boulder community. If you have set or plan to set greenhouse gas reduction targets, purchasing wind power is a tangible, effective way to reduce your business' carbon footprint. The city of Boulder will recognize all businesses that sign up by July 31st in a local print advertisement.*
How does signing up for wind power reduce my environmental impact?
The energy used in our businesses is generated from a number of sources, of which the vast majority is coal and natural gas. Electricity produced from renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar) has positive environmental benefits as it does not generate greenhouse gases, air pollution or water pollution. Renewable energy providers (such as wind farms) sell the electricity they generate to utilities and sell Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to the consumer public. These RECs represent the environmental benefits of the renewable energy that is produced. For example, each megawatt of electricity created by a wind farm that is sold by a provider can only be sold to the consumer public one time. When those megawatts are bought up, more turbines need to be built, so only with our purchases will the demand for new wind continue. Therefore, our collective efforts to add more renewable energy to the power grid decrease the need for new coal power plants.
When I sign up for wind power, how does it affect the electricity coming into my building?
The energy you purchase through wind power is fed into the electricity grid and becomes a part of the mix of electricity flowing to your building. It is impossible to confirm the actual percentage of energy derived from the wind turbines, however all wind energy added to the grid displaces the equivalent amount of coal or natural gas-derived electricity that would previously have been transmitted to your building.
How do I choose between providers?
Sign up through Xcel Energy's Windsource program or purchase Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) through one of three local companies listed on this flyer. All providers are Green-e certified, which means you can be assured you paying for viable wind energy. There are differences in price and business plans - contact providers for details.
How much will it cost per month?**
The following table shows current average monthly costs for various business sizes - this amount is added to your Xcel bill. You can purchase wind in blocks or by percentage of electricity use.
| Percent of energy use purchased as wind | under 5,000 sq. ft. | 5,001 sq. ft. to 10,000 sq. ft. | 10,001 sq. ft to 20,000 sq. ft. |
| 10% | $6 | $8 | $11 |
| 25% | $14 | $21 | $28 |
| 50% | $28 | $42 | $56 |
| 100% | $56 | $84 | $113 |
* For privacy reasons, wind retailers do not report business names to the city of Boulder, so please notify the ClimateSmart marketing team (Beth at powellb@bouldercolorado.gov) to be included all publicity and promotional opportunities.
** All estimates are averages and are based on Xcel's current Windsource pricing of $1.87 for 100 kWh. Contact the wind power providers for a quote based on your monthly electricity usage.