Houston plays to native strengths with wind energy deal for city buildings.

[jpak]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/4979881.html

Years after the twin gales of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Houston is still rocked by turbulence: natural gas prices that nearly doubled after the disasters and last year cost the city $150 million to power its offices, street lamps and water utilities.

This week the city turned the elements to Houston's advantage, with a deal that stabilizes energy bills by requiring that 30 percent of city electricity come from wind farms. The prescient, market-driven solution makes use of this area's natural strengths.

Under the complex deal brokered by Mayor Bill White, city government will pay a wholesale, fixed price for wind energy supplied by the General Land Office. This means that even if wild weather disrupts natural gas delivery, city power prices won't rise.

And if the wind doesn't generate enough juice on a given day — electricity can't be effectively stored — Houston's provider will send power from another source and give Houston renewable energy credits.

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[kestrel91316]

1. Why does Houston hate America? It's their patriotic duty

to support the energy industry and just keep paying more and more for electricity! Hell, they should be USING more!!

[4bh0r53n]

2. is that Sarcasm i sense there Kestrel?

It's good to see that they are trying to use more renewable energy.

[jpak]

3. She's kidding

:hi:

[4bh0r53n]

5. i know, hence the title

n/t

[kestrel91316]

4. Moi? Sarcastic???