Buck
Hill is Powered by the Wind!
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BURNSVILLE,
Minn. (February 2, 2005) - Buck Hill Ski Area of Burnsville,
in a commitment to renewable energy sources, recently agreed
to purchase more than 8,000 blocks of Wellspring Renewable
Wind Energy annually. This voluntary purchase from Dakota
Electric Association means all Buck Hill's energy, except
one generator account, is generated from wind. Purchasing
this large amount of wind annually is the equivalent of
planting more than 200 acres of trees.*
"Buck Hill Ski Area is proud to support Dakota Electric's
Wellspring program," says Don McClure, general manager
of Buck Hill. "We're in the business of healthy, outdoor
living, so what better way to emphasize that than by helping
our environment? We believe it is worth the investment for
our community." In keeping with its desire to be environmentally
friendly, Buck Hill recently updated its ski lifts with
energy-efficient motors and drive.
Dakota
Electric purchases the wind power from its wholesale power supplier,
Great River Energy, Elk River. The Wellspring project produces
six megawatts of power from nine turbines in southwestern Minnesota.
While wind energy is still more expensive to generate than conventional
means, technology advancements and government incentives have
helped bring costs down. |
The electricity is sold in 100-kilowatt-hour blocks, and one kilowatt
hour of wind energy costs just slightly more than the standard
price for electricity, only about one and one-half cent extra
per kilowatt hour.
Wellspring is unique in that it was the first customer-led, voluntary
wind energy project in the state. A customer-owned, non-profit
utility since 1937, Dakota Electric Association provides electricity
to more than 95,000 members throughout Dakota County and portions
of Goodhue, Rice and Scott counties. Dakota Electric, a Touchstone
Energy Partner, serves its members/owners with integrity, accountability,
innovation and commitment to community.
For the past 52 years, Buck Hill Ski Area has been known as a
great place for winter family fun including skiing, snowboarding
and snow tubing. Its reputation as a quality ski area is known
across the country. Buck Hill is located approximately nine miles
south of 494 on 35W in Burnsville.
*
Calculation derived from information from American Wind Energy
Association.
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