Wind to Help Power Baylor Campus

February 8, 2007

by Frank Raczkiewicz

In its first major effort to directly support renewable energy sources, Baylor University will soon rely more on wind power for its electricity needs. Baylor has signed a 10-year contract with Wisconsin-based WPS Energy Services to provide electricity on campus starting July 2008.

"This is a win-win both financially and environmentally," said Don Bagby, director of facilities management at Baylor. "The fact that we can go 10 years and know how much we will pay for electricity is an added benefit."

Currently, Baylor spends about $13.5 million per year on electricity for its 735-acre campus. Baylor administrators expect to save about $2 million annually once the new contract takes effect.

While it does not mean that electricity generated on wind farms will be directly transmitted to Baylor, the money will allow for wind-generated electricity to be brought to the Texas power grid, which Baylor draws off of. Some of that power would have been otherwise generated by non-renewable fuel.

"Baylor, through our consistent retail demand, is ultimately financing and supporting the development of wind farms in Texas," Bagby said.

While this may be the first major effort to support renewable energy, Baylor has long implemented multiple energy-savings initiatives across campus, which have saved the university more than $1 million since 2000. Energy efficient florescent lighting is in most campus buildings and high-efficiency electric chillers for cooling demands have been installed. During winter and summer breaks, an energy curtailment program is implemented, reducing energy consumption. A university-wide Environmental Control Policy also is in place which sets temperature parameters during the winter and summer seasons.

For more information, contact Don Bagby at (254) 710-8200.

About WPS Energy Services

WPS Energy Services Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of WPS Resources Corp., a holding company based in Green Bay, Wis. Delivering cost-effective, diversified energy supplies throughout the Eastern and Midwestern United States, WPS Energy Services' goal is to provide customers with the best value in energy and related services. Their long-term relationships with a variety of dependable producers and suppliers enhance their ability to provide reliable energy sources. In addition, the Illinois Commerce Commission has approved the proposed merger of WPS Resources Corp. and Peoples Energy Corp. The transaction is expected to close shortly if it is approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Upon completion of the merger, WPS Energy Services' name will change to Integrys Energy Services.