Wal-Mart Buys Wind Energy for Texas Stores

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores here yesterday announced its first substantial purchase of wind energy in the U.S., which will supply up to 15% of the company’s total energy load in approximately 360 Texas stores and other facilities. The renewable energy will be generated by a Duke Energy wind farm under construction in Notrees, Texas, and is expected to begin producing electricity for Wal-Mart by April 2009. The project will provide roughly 226 million kilowatt-hours of renewable power annually.

“We’re purchasing renewable power at traditional energy rates,” said Kim Saylors-Laster, vice president of energy for Wal-Mart, in a statement. “The wind power purchase will result in a significant decrease of greenhouse gas emissions and aligns perfectly with Wal-Mart’s long-term goal of being supplied by 100% renewable energy.”

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