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Binghamton Fed Building Goes 100% Wind Powered

Binghamton Federal Building has become the first federal facility in the country to be powered entirely by wind generated electricity. Speaking at a news conference on the steps of the Binghamton Federal Building, representatives stated that 100% of the building's electricity needs (approximately 500,000 kWh per year) are being supplied by new "wind farms" recently opened in upstate New York.

Binghamton Federal Building has become the first federal facility in the country to be powered entirely by wind generated electricity. Speaking at a news conference on the steps of the Binghamton Federal Building, representatives stated that 100% of the building's electricity needs (approximately 500,000 kWh per year) are being supplied by new "wind farms" recently opened in upstate New York.

Community Energy, Inc (CEI) presented awards to Congressman Maurice Hinchey for his efforts in promoting the wind energy purchase, and to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for their groundbreaking procurement of New Wind EnergyTM for the building.

The Federal contract for wind energy covers 100% of the facilities' usage for 34 months, beginning in July 2002. The wind energy is being supplied by the 30 Megawatt wind farm in Fenner, NY, which went on-line last fall with funding support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA).

The Binghamton building is not the first federal building to draw on 100% green power: the first was a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) building in Richmond, California, in July 1999. In fiscal year 2000, the facility bought nearly 1.9 million kilowatt-hours of electricity produced from landfill gas projects. The Binghamton building is the first to rely on 100% wind power.

Brent Alderfer, President of CEI, praised Congressman Maurice Hinchey and the GSA's Regional Energy office for their national leadership: "Congressman Hinchey and the GSA have raised the bar in the public green power market by purchasing 100% wind energy for the Binghamton Federal Building. That's true energy leadership. Wind Energy is America's best -- no fuel, no smoke, no pollution. This purchase sets a national standard for other public agencies to follow."

Alderfer went on to say that the wind energy for the Binghamton building also provides New York State with economic development benefits, expands tax revenues for rural communities, and decreases America's reliance on foreign energy sources.

"I am proud that the Binghamton Federal Building, which houses my district office, will be the first in the country to be powered entirely by wind generated electricity. GSA is setting a great example here," said U.S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey. "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. By promoting these technologies, the United States can become a global energy leader and strengthen our economy, instead of spending tens of billions of dollars on foreign oil every year."

The wind electricity is being provided to the Binghamton Federal Building as an addendum to GSA's electric supply contract with Select Energy. "We salute GSA and the entire project team for taking this significant step," said Richard Cohen, vice president of Select Energy's New York operations based in Syracuse. "We are committed to helping business and institutional customers take advantage of the opportunities of energy deregulation and make choices that reflect their long-term strategic goals and values." Select Energy is a leading provider of competitive energy supply and services for business and institutional customers in 11 states from Maine to Maryland. More information is available at www.selectenergy.com.

Compared to the average generation mix of a spot market purchase, the Binghamton Federal Building wind purchase will annually offset approximately 772,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, a leading cause of global warming. The emissions reductions are equivalent to planting over 52,000 trees each year.

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