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A Sandy business today made one of the biggest commitments to wind power that we've seen in the Intermountain West.
The global medical technology company purchased enough renewable energy to equal its energy use.
The wind generates nearly 4 percent of the power Rocky Mountain Power provides its customers. BD Medical is now the largest Rocky Mountain Power customer offsetting all of its energy use through the Blue Sky Program.
Dr. Dianne Nielson, the governor's energy adviser, said, "This isn't a small contribution. This is a huge accomplishment to say that 100 percent of your electricity is going to be provided by wind power, by green energy."
Beginning in October, the company will buy more than 3 million kilowatt-hours of renewable wind energy each month. That's equal to 100 percent of its Sandy facility's electricity use.
Rocky Mountain Power President Richard Walje said, "This will be equivalent to 48,000 households offsetting their consumption through our Blue Sky tariff."
Forty-eight thousand homes is the size of a major city in Utah. It eliminates the production of 37,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year and provides the equivalent environmental benefits of driving 79.4 million miles fewer or planting 14,558 acres of trees.
Edward Ludwig, president of BD Medical, said, "It's not just about energy consumption. It's about waste. It's about our footprint. It's about everything we do."
About 24,000 Utah homes and businesses participate in Blue Sky.
Rocky Mountain Power customers can purchase Blue Sky renewable energy in 100-kilowatt-hour blocks for an additional $1.95 per block on their monthly bill. Check your bill for details.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
