The District purchased a wind farm in southwestern Pennsylvania in an effort to use more sustainable energy in the city government buildings, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Wednesday.
The 46-megawatt wind farm is capable of producing 35 percent of the energy used by District government buildings, according to a press release. The deal is the largest power deal a U.S. city has ever entered.
City officials projected that the deal will save the city $45 million over the next two decades. The city will receive 125,000 MW hours of the wind energy per year.
Bowser announced the purchase at a press conference on the roof of the Frank D. Reeves Center for Municipal Affairs. She said in the release the purchase will allow D.C. to “lead the nation in the fight against climate change.”
“We are supporting green building, promoting energy and water efficiency and fostering renewable energy. This wind agreement exemplifies how my Administration will use energy policy to boost our economy and create cleaner air for current and future generations,” she said in the release.
Our agreement w/ @IberdrolaRen to power 35% of #DCgov w/ wind is biggest agreement of its kind by an American city. pic.twitter.com/80B34ynAi0
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) August 12, 2015
“Now, more than ever, is a critical time for the District to show leadership in energy for our residents and businesses,” said Tommy Wells, a former D.C. Council member and the director of the Department of Energy and the Environment.
Today, I announced that @DDOE_DC is now the Dept. of Energy & Environment. What is good for the environment is good for the economy.
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) August 12, 2015
