(((*Man, this kills me. The Austin-owned power company used to beg people to sign up for this program and pay extra; now they're gonna lottery-off the chance to join the program.)))
pid=10001099&sid=aUgsyE5N0G0c&refer=energy>
***************************************
Wind Power Becomes Bargain in Texas as Gas Costs Soar (Update2)
Jan. 12 (Bloomberg) – Wind power has become the cheapest electricity source in the capital of Texas, the largest U.S. gas-producing state, after costs for gas and other generator fuels soared.
The Austin, Texas, City Council voted today to hold a drawing in
March to determine which municipal utility customers will be allowed to switch to wind power. More customers are expected to request wind power than the utility has available because the pollution-free option, which used to cost extra, will save a typical resident about $16 a year.
``It's not only better for the air, it's cheaper,'' City Councilman
Brewster McCracken said a meeting today in Austin. He said this
appears to be the first time that a renewable-energy source became
cheaper in competitive bidding than electricity from traditional
power plants.
Austin this month raised rates for conventional power to catch up with increased fuel costs after U.S. gas futures almost doubled last year. Austin's wind-power prices are fixed under a long-term
contract. (...)
Gas prices, already lifted by U.S. economic growth, soared to
unprecedented highs after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita shut down most wells in the Gulf of Mexico in August and September. Gas futures touched a record $15.78 per million British thermal units on Dec. 13. The futures traded below $2 in 2002.
(...)
Wind power also has become big in Texas. Since 1999, more than 1,200 megawatts of renewable power generation, mostly from wind turbines, has been built in the state, according to the Texas Public Utility Commission. Another 1,100 megawatts is under construction or planned.
