In the largest purchase of wind energy by a local government in the nation, Montgomery County signed a contract on May 11 with Washington Gas Energy Services and their wind energy supplier, Community Energy, Inc., to purchase wind energy for five percent of the county's needs.

This purchase amounts to the largest retail purchase in Maryland, and the fifth largest retail purchase in the country.

"Montgomery County prides itself on being a leader in environmental protection," said County Executive Doug Duncan. "This agreement to purchase five percent of our energy from wind power solidifies that leadership status. We are safeguarding our natural resources for the future, and have set our course for improvements in the years to come."

The county represented a buying group of six county agencies, 11 municipalities, and Prince George's County as well, making the wind energy purchase a major step towards meeting the region's air quality goals for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change. The group agreed to purchase 38,411,780 kilowatt hours each year for two years.

The county's purchase, which exceeds its commitment to buy clean energy under the EPA's Green Power Partnership program, is termed a "voluntary control measure" in the State Implementation Plan for meeting the requirements of the federal Clean Air Act.

If approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this measure will enable other jurisdictions to use renewable power purchases to help meet federal air quality standards.

In October 2000, the original energy buying group, which consisted of the county government, Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission, Montgomery College, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, began purchasing power on a competitive basis, which saved the county about $5.4 million in electricity costs over a three-and- a-half-year period.

In March 2003, the county Energy Policy was amended to incorporate the purchase of renewable energy and to expand energy efficiency efforts. This resolution required all county agencies to purchase five percent of their total electricity supply from power generated by zero-emission renewable resources.

"Once again, Montgomery County is setting a national example by signing the contract for the largest local government purchase of clean, renewable energy in the United States," said Councilmember George Leventhal, who initiated the effort in the County Council. "I'm proud to have played a part in advancing this, and hope in the future we'll be able to move beyond five percent."

The wind power will be generated in an area in West Virginia where a number of polluting coal power plants are located. Emissions from these power plants are delivered on prevailing winds to the Washington Metropolitan region. The wind power purchase will help to offset some of these environmental emissions, and provide cleaner air to Montgomery County residents.

The environmental benefits from this purchase are equivalent to a yearly reduction of 42 million pounds of carbon dioxide, 95,000 pounds of nitrous oxides, and 1.4 pounds of mercury. The carbon dioxide reduction achieved is equivalent to 36 million miles not driven, or 2.9 million trees planted.

Use of renewable energy sources in place of fossil fuels also improves energy infrastructure reliability and reduces potential supply disruptions resulting from fuel shortages, accidents, or terrorism.

 "The County Executive's leadership in the fight for cleaner air and less global warming pollution directly benefits all Montgomery County residents, but is especially important for our children," said Gary Skulnik with the Clean Energy Partnership. "Buying clean wind power, which produces no greenhouse gases nor any other air pollutants, is one of the best ways we can fight global warming and air pollution."