City Water Light & Power will begin using wind power July 1 as part of Springfield's clean energy plan worked out with the Sierra Club. At first, only 20MW of wind power will be incorporated into Springfield's energy mix with the remaining 100MW to be added as it becomes available from wind farms being built by Florida Power & Light Company.
Half of the 120MW will power State of Illinois facilities, including the Capitol Building. That means Illinois will have the first Capitol Building powered by wind that doesn't emanate from politicians.
Such a large investment in renewable energy, conservation and efficiency programs, and emission reductions makes Springfield a leading example to which other communities are looking. Not even Chicago, which Mayor Daley wants to make the greenest city in the US, uses this much clean energy, so Springfield really has something to be proud of!