October 26th, 2008

From the Environmental Protection Agency

The 2008 Green Power Leadership Awards were presented in conjunction with the National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference, held October 26-29 in Denver, Colorado.

Green Power Purchasing Award

City of Houston, Texas — The City of Houston’s comprehensive renewable energy plan calls for the purchase of fixed-price green power, which will help to offset the rising cost of conventional electricity. As part of this plan, the city has bought more than 350 million kilowatt-hours of wind-derived renewable energy certificates, enough to meet nearly 27 percent of its annual electricity needs, at a cost lower than traditional electricity. Houston’s purchase ranks among the largest in the Green Power Partnership, placing the city on both EPA’s National Top 50 and Top Local Government lists.

Houston has a goal of buying an added 40 megawatts of wind energy and hosting several solar photovoltaic projects. The city actively sends out communications to the media and public through press releases, newsletters, and website announcements to increase awareness about green power. The city of Houston also developed two websites: one helps the public learn about green power benefits, and the other compares the costs of different kinds of energy, including green power. Further, as a leader among municipal green power buyers, the City has taken part in an EPA-sponsored green power webinar to share its strategy of buying wind power with others. Houston also takes an active roll in presenting its model of success to other local governments and to industry groups.