This historic first time a Native American Tribe has ever signed an energy deal with the U.S. Government, and the largest energy deal done by the GSA for renewable wind power. We are very proud of both Tekamuk Energy Services and Geronimo Energy teams for the dedication and hard work!
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that it is on track to meet the Administration’s 2020 renewable energy goal after awarding a competitive power supply contract to a commercial wind developer for the purchase of 140 megawatts (MW) of clean wind energy. The energy will come from the Walnut Ridge Wind Farm, which is currently in development in northwest Illinois, and will add more than 500,000 megawatt-hours (MWhs) of electricity to the power grid annually. The ten-year contract was awarded to MG2 Tribal Energy – a joint venture between the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians, a federally-recognized Native American tribe, and Geronimo Energy, a commercial wind developer – and is the largest wind energy purchase from a single source in federal contracting history.
From GSA Administrator Dan Tangherlini:
“As part of GSA’s commitment to greening the federal government, we are working to ensure that we don’t just use energy but create it as well. This project will add to the power grid in a sustainable way and ensure that we become less dependent on fossil fuels. We are proud of our progress toward meeting the federal government’s renewable energy goals, and look forward to taking advantage of future opportunities that will help us with this effort.”
From Mesa Grande Band Chairman and MG2 President Mark Romero:
“The Mesa Grande Band is excited about our partnership with both Geronimo Energy and the GSA. This contract represents an important step forward in the history of the Mesa Grande Band because it is entirely consistent with our historic concern for Mother Earth and the continued availability of clean water, land, and air for future generations. Few other economic development opportunities enable us to remain so true to our cultural and spiritual values.”
From Geronimo Energy President Blake Nixon:
“Geronimo is proud to develop economically viable renewable energy projects for customers, now including the federal government via this contract with the GSA. Our partnership in MG2 has been a mutually beneficial venture from the beginning, and by securing this PPA with the GSA, our partnership with the Mesa Grande has an exciting future.”
Key Facts
- This contract will help GSA meet the Administration’s renewable energy goal established under the December 5, 2013 Presidential Memorandum – Federal Leadership on Energy Management. The memorandum set a renewable energy purchase goal of 20 percent by 2020 with a preference for new projects, which means that GSA needs to procure an estimated 500,000 to 550,000 MWhs of renewable energy per year. The 140-megawatt wind project will meet this annual requirement.
- This contract will also help GSA meet renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals contained in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and Executive Orders 13423 and 13514, and could help the agency meet its physical power needs in regions on the PJM power grid. The PJM power grid is the largest power grid in North America and the largest electricity market in the world, and it includes all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
- This contract will eliminate an estimated 499,973 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year
http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/199479
http://www.rechargenews.com/wind/1380956/US-govt-signs-140MW-wind-PPA
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