Residents of Pennsylvania are now selecting electricity suppliers and their choices include wind energy, as part of the ChoosePAWIND program (www.choosepawind.com), according to Don Hopey in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“Pennsylvania’s green energy consumers now have a choice, just like when they’re buying produce,” Katie Bellezza, marketing manager for EverPower Wind Holdings Inc., said during a news conference at Duquesne University, where the initiative was launched Thursday. “Buying local wind-produced energy supports jobs and the emerging development of alternative energy and encourages a diverse energy supply.”

“Everyone should know they have a choice about where they get their electricity,” said John Hanger, former state Department of Environmental Protection secretary.  He also said that wind energy produces no carbon, soot or mercury emissions that affect thousands of people every year. “This is a big choice, a tremendously important way to improve Pennsylvania’s economy and environment and save lives.”

According to the wind coalition, there are 17 wind production facilities in Pennsylvania with a total capacity of more than 800 megawatts, enough to power nearly 240,000 homes. That’s still just a little less than 1 percent of the state’s energy needs, but 23 new wind facilities are under development and will eventually generate 6.4% of the state’s electricity.

In West Virginia, there is about 600 MW of installed wind power with another 1000 under development.  When the 1800 MW level is reached, it will represent about 16% of the electrical power needed in the State.