By William Keltner
As Originally First published by Texas Border Business newsprint Edition on March 2013
Practical, Renewable power production is now a reality in Willacy and Cameron counties. The lines of stately wind-powered electrical generators dominating the horizon as motorists drive north on highway 77 attest to the success of this new, environmentally friendly industry. And Duke Energy is taking the lead.
Duke Energy officials were joined by community and state leaders for the official announcement of the completion of their largest-ever wind power construction projects, dubbed Los Vientos 1 and Los Vientos 11. The ceremony marked a major advancement in renewable energy power production for South Texas.
Duke Energy Renewable President Greg Wolf said, “ 2012 was a very significant year for our company. With five new wind power projects and three solar power projects commissioned into service, we added 800 megawatts of clean, emissions-free energy to our fleet last year alone. Of that total, 402 megawatts (MW) are supplied by these two Rio Grande Valley projects. With these two Valley projects are on line, our total renewable power capacity grows to more than 1,700 MW, enough to power about half-million homes.”
Wolf stressed, “It’s a mutually-beneficial endeavor for all concerned–the manufacturer, the users, the landowners and the enhanced tax revenues for local schools and communities. The city officials of Lyford and Raymondville were extremely helpful and cooperative during the construction.”
Duke Energy Renewable Project Vice President Milton Howard, said, “We are proud to be partnering with San Antonio-based CPS Energy and Austin Energy under a 25- year agreement. They are buying all the output and associated renewable energy credit from the Cameron and Willacy County operations.”
Howard continued, “And, we couldn’t have done it without the foresight of the leaders, landowners and people of these two counties. Thanks to them, we were able to bring 600 jobs to the area during the construction, and going forward, the Los Vientos projects will continue to boost economic development, support the local school districts, and be a source of dependable tax revenue for years to come.”
John Schmidt is a Production Team member who will oversee the day-to-day operation of the 171 power generations now on line and producing electrical power. He talked to Texas Border News about his background. Our readers will be interested in what we learned about him.
First of all, Schmidt is a Valley man. He is originally from Chicago, but the family moved to McAllen where he went to school and graduated from McAllen Memorial High School in 1986. After getting his College degree in Instrumentation Technology at Texas State Technical Institute (now TSTC), he worked at several petrochemical companies.
His credits include stints at Calpine Corporation in Edinburg and CPL in San Benito.
He joined Duke Renewable Energy in 2012 at the beginning of the LOS VIENTOS Projects 1 and 11. “I couldn’t be happier,” he said, adding, “Back home, and doing what I like. It’s exciting to be in this blossoming, renewable, electrical energy industry.”
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. TBB
