Jefferson City, MO. - At an announcement in the State Capitol this morning, Missouri based developer Wind Capital Group, John Deere Wind Energy and the Missouri Rural Electric Cooperatives announced their plans to construct a 50-megawatt wind energy project in King City, MO, 30 miles northeast of St. Joseph. The project will be named "Bluegrass Ridge" in tribute to the farming community's historic role in bluegrass seed harvesting.
"Wind is a clean, renewable source of affordable electricity, which has the added benefit of strengthening rural communities and helping Missouri farmers," said Tom Carnahan, the project developer and president of Wind Capital Group. "I am very proud to be working with Missouri's electric cooperatives and John Deere Wind Energy to bring this first project to our state."
When completed in late 2006, the project will consist of 24, Suzlon S-88 turbines, and will produce enough power for up to 30,000 homes. The electricity will be purchased by Springfield, Mo.-based Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc., and distributed through its network of regional and local rural electric cooperatives.
"Associated Electric is committed to providing affordable, renewable energy options to our customers. We are particularly pleased that the wind energy we are purchasing is harvested on Missouri farms and that this investment will be staying here in our own communities," said Jim Jura, CEO of Associated Electric. Project financing is being provided by Johnston, Iowa-based John Deere Wind Energy, a unit of Deere & Company, the world's leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment. "John Deere is excited to be a part of Missouri's first wind project, and to be making an investment that benefits the communities where our customers live," said David Drescher, vice-president of John Deere Wind Energy.
The impact on the local economy could be significant. Farmers in the project area will have the opportunity to receive annual lease payments and the area could also see job creation, local investment, tourism and an expanded tax base. Michael Waltemath, a local farmer and member of the school board, expects to host several turbines on his farm. "My family has been farming this ground for generations and now we have a new crop that doesn't interfere with the rest of the farm operations. Acre for acre, wind will be the most profitable crop we harvest, not to mention what it will do for the local schools. We're really looking forward to all the new activity," said Waltemath.
Construction is expected to begin in early summer with at least 16 turbines operational by the end of 2006.
For more information contact:
Wind Capital Group
Tony Wyche, Wind Capital Group
(314) 361-4774
tonywyche@soapbox-pr.com
John Deere Wind Energy
James Meenagh
(515) 267-3939
Meenaghjamese@johndeere.com
Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives
Jim McCarty
(573) 659-3402
jmccarty@amec.coop
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