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Holy Cross among nation's top wind power programs

Glenwood Springs-based Holy Cross Energy ranks third in the nation for customer participation in renewable energy programs.

Holy Cross Energy and Xcel Energy, both of Colorado, were among the nation's leaders in "green power" programs, according to a national energy study.

The study analyzed renewable energy programs run by 85 utilities in 29 states. It concluded that successful green power programs depend on effective design and marketing, the creation of personal value for customers, and collaboration with community and environmental groups to promote the programs.

Xcel Energy has the third-largest program in which customers voluntarily pay a premium for wind-generated power. It also ranks nationally for the number of customers enrolled in its Windsource and Renewable Energy Trust programs. The rankings were included in a report issued by the Golden-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory, an arm of the U.S. Department of Energy.

"Green pricing has given utilities and their customers a powerful new tool to foster environmentally friendly energy production," said Blair Swezey, an NREL energy analyst who cowrote the green pricing report.

Holy Cross Energy purchases 3 MW of wind power from Xcel to provide its customers with a wind program called Wind Power Pioneers, which was initiated in 1997. Holy Cross, which serves part of the City of Aspen and surrounding areas, started marketing its green pricing program in February 1997.

Holy Cross Electric customers can pay $2.50 a month for 100 kWh blocks of wind generated power. As of January, 1997, Holy Cross had garnered subscriptions from 877 residential and commercial customers for a total of 1800, 100-kWh blocks of wind power-enough to cover the first megawatt of wind power the association purchased from Xcel. Holy Cross began marketing a second MW in early 1998.

Holy Cross has established a waiting list because the 3 MW-5210 blocks-of power are already subscribed by 1,550 participants. The price premium is 2.5 cents per kWh, and the annual energy sold is 6.12 MWh. Holy Cross does not require a minimum length of commitment.

Holy Cross promoted the program through bill inserts and news articles, and has received help in marketing the programs from the Community Office for Resource Efficiency. CORE is a nonprofit organization located in Aspen that has been instrumental in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy in Colorado.