As AWWI celebrates 10 years of collaboration and solutions for wind energy and wildlife, we are excited to announce three new Partners and Friends who have joined in 2018: Southern Power, Puget Sound Energy, and Sempra Renewables.
Joining as a Partner, Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider and is home to more than 12,800 megawatts (MW) from coast to coast. About one third of that generation mix is comprised of renewable generation that has been developed or acquired in the last few years. The company assembled its nationally recognized renewable portfolio through the strategic development of 38 solar, wind, and biomass projects either currently in operation or under development across the United States. Southern Power’s wind portfolio consists of more than 1,590 MW across nine facilities in three states, and the company expects to significantly grow its wind fleet in the coming years.
Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Southern Power is growing its wholesale business through the acquisition and construction of generating assets substantially covered by long-term contracts. With a priority on protecting wildlife, and meeting or exceeding all regulations, Southern Power prides itself on being a good steward of the environment and is proud to support AWWI.
“We are excited to join AWWI as we continue our work to build the future of energy through clean, safe, reliable and affordable assets like wind energy,” said Southern Power Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, John Pemberton. “Southern Power believes in reducing emissions to protect the environment, and we look forward to partnering with AWWI and appreciate the leadership and opportunity they have provided through their work.”
AWWI also welcomes Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Sempra Renewables, both joining this year as Friends.
PSE is the largest utility producer of wind in Washington state and one of the nation’s top utility wind energy providers, producing enough electricity to power nearly 200,000 homes. The company has implemented industry-leading programs to help protect the environment including its own avian protection program. PSE began managing bird/power line interactions as early as 1979, and implemented a formal Avian Protection Program in 2000. In partnership with the Trust for Public Lands and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, PSE preserved nearly 18,000 acres of critical shrub-steppe habitat in Central Washington that is home to many native plants and animals, including a rare cactus, threatened sage-grouse, elk, deer, and other bird and wildlife species. Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, PSE provides service to 1.5 million customers and recently announced its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint 50 percent by 2040.
“PSE knows our customers value the environment, and we’ve been on a path to a cleaner energy future for the last decade,” said PSE Director of Strategic Initiatives Roger Garratt. “Renewable energy means a more sustainable future for everyone, and we’re excited to partner with an organization committed to wind energy and protecting wildlife.”
Sempra Renewables is a leading U.S. developer of renewable energy. Sempra Renewables’ experienced team has proven capabilities in the development, design, construction, and operation of large-scale renewable energy infrastructure that help meet the electricity needs of their customers. Together with their partners, the company owns and operates nearly 2,600 megawatts of renewable capacity fueled by the sun and wind. Their more than $3 billion investment in renewable energy generates power for over 600,000 homes and businesses and has created over 5,000 jobs, while providing an economic boost to communities and landowners in 11 states.
The company’s commitment to listening and finding the right solution coupled with their values-based dedication to local communities, the environment and safety, ensures that they responsibly deliver clean energy solutions for today and tomorrow.
Sempra Renewables is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego with 2017 revenues of more than $11 billion. Including Oncor, the Sempra Energy companies’ approximately 20,000 employees serve 43 million consumers worldwide.
“At Sempra Renewables, we believe it is our responsibility to build and operate projects in ways that respect the environment,” says Marilyn Teague, Director of Environmental Permitting, Compliance and Safety at Sempra Renewables. “We are excited to begin collaborating with AWWI in its mission to facilitate timely and responsible development of wind energy while protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat.”
AWWI is pleased to have the opportunity to partner with these dedicated companies.
“We are excited to welcome Southern Power, Puget Sound Energy, and Sempra Renewables to the AWWI collaborative,” said AWWI Executive Director Abby Arnold. “As a result of the cooperation of AWWI partners we now have a more accurate understanding of the risks for wildlife from wind energy and are at a pivotal moment for targeting conservation needs and developing and applying solutions. None of this would be possible without our Partners and Friends, and their dedication to collaboration and solving these challenges so that wind energy can achieve its full conservation value.”