Electric Co-op Today

A Missouri G&T has been leading the way on wind energy since 2006. Now, the whole country knows about it.

Vice President Joe Biden spoke at the announcement of a new wind farm involving a Missouri G&T. (Photo By: Associated Press)

Associated Electric Cooperative, Springfield, is a partner in a new, 150-megawatt project that Vice President Joe Biden praised during an April 16 ceremony that attracted national attention.

The Lost Creek Wind Farm represents the G&T’s fourth venture into wind power, and will come to fruition in part because of the recently passed federal stimulus bill, Biden said at a ceremony in Jefferson City.

“This new economy isn’t going to be built by Wall Street investors; it’s going to be built by you, like every single, solitary era in our history,” Biden told workers at the ABB manufacturing plant, which will supply 100 transformers for the farm.

The development, located in DeKalb County in northeast Missouri, is the largest wind energy project in the history of the state, with enough capacity to power 50,000 homes, and will create more than 2,500 jobs.

In addition to ABB’s contribution, GE Energy will supply 100 of its 1.5-MW wind turbines, while the G&T will purchase all the electricity generated at Lost Creek for its six regional and 51 local distribution systems in a three-state area.

Tags: Renewable Energy, Wind Energy