Rock Port, Missouri, has a claim to fame:
It's the first community in the United States capable of meeting
its entire annual electricity demands from wind power.
Completed in spring 2008, the Loess Hills Wind Farm powers all of the community's electrical needs and also generates excess capacity for areas nearby.
The five megawatt project, built on agricultural lands within the city limits of Rock Port is a member of the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission that supplies power for 56 municipal utilities throughout Missouri. The Loess Hills Wind Farm is interconnected with the Rock Port Municipal Utility 12.4 kV distribution system.
Environmental Effects:
- Zero emissions of carbon dioxide
- No fuel use and no fuel transportation impacts
- Improved air quality, reduced VOC emissions
- Avoided use of fossil fuels
Community Effects:
- Reduction in electrical transmission charges previously paid to bring power to city
- National and international media attention as first U.S. community meeting all electrical needs with 100% "homegrown" wind power
- Excess wind power for nearby locations