August 26, 2002—The Binghamton Federal Building in Binghamton, NY, is the first federal facility in the country to be powered entirely by wind generated electricity. The building’s electricity needs are approximately 500,000 kilowatt-hours per year.
The contract for wind energy covers usage for thirty-four months, beginning in July 2002. The wind energy is being supplied by the 30-megawatt wind farm in Fenner, NY, which went online last fall with funding support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency.
The building houses the district office of Rep. Maurice Hinchey, who said, “The federal government should be doing much more to promote the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies through tax incentives and increased funding for research. Increased funding and incentives for renewable energy technologies could create millions of high-wage jobs, while saving energy, reducing pollution, cleaning up the environment, and ending our addiction to foreign oil.”
More information on how to purchase wind energy in the Mid-Atlantic, visit the New Wind Energy Web site.
