Front Generator Wind Turbine

All across the nation, cities and towns are making the transition to renewable energy sources.And one small town in our area has been leading the way in wind energy.        

"I see that thing blowing and it just tells me that we're meeting our green energy responsibilities and keeping the cost of power down here in Mountain Lake."

Ron Melson is the electric superintendent for the City of Mountain Lake.Melson says, "We keep the lights on in town–which sounds like an easy job–but it isn't always."

And ever since 2007– Melson has had a new tool to work with– a wind turbine that provides much of the city's energy.  

This single wind power is located right outside of Mountain Lake. It has enough energy to power the entire city, which has a population of just over 2,000.  

Wendy Meyer says, "It's a source of pride for the community, makes us stand out. It's something that's unique and different when people drive by on the Highway and they see that one Windmill standing up, people ask me a lot–how's that project going. It's been good for the community."

So good in fact, that in just a few short years it will pay for itself after a purchase price of $2 million–just one of the many benefits according to local officials.

Meyer says, "It's given us more diversity in our power sources, where we buy our power from and then it's helped us meet the state's energy reserve standard which steps up and we need 25% by 2025."

And with these changes and more, energetic people like Melson will find more ways to bring you the energy you need to power through the day