CPS Energizes San Antonio
Published Apr 22, 2008
CPS Energy harnesses wind power, among other means, to serve 677,000 customers.
Residents of San Antonio may not realize it, but the power that runs their air conditioners and keeps their lights on is not simply everyday electricity.
CPS Energy harnesses the wind, the sun, nuclear power, low-sulfur coal and fuel oil to pump out electricity to approximately 677,000 customers (and counting) each month, according to Bob McCullough, director of corporate communications and community relations for CPS.
But San Antonio energy company’s nearly 320,000 natural gas users owe their stoves and fireplaces to not only conventional gas, but also landfill gas.
Now San Antonio’s innovative approach to energy is getting notice from national corporations.
“Largely because of our fuels diversification program, we are able to offer very attractive and affordable rates for new business and industry wanting to come to San Antonio,” McCullough says.
“We have the lowest energy bills of the 20 largest cities in the country.”
In 2006, Toyota opened a new truck assembly plant in San Antonio, and they attribute part of their decision to a reliable, affordable energy supply. The city is also seeing an influx of corporate data centers, which have high energy needs, including Microsoft and Lowe’s Home Improvement Centers.
“Whether it’s residential, small commercial or industrial, we approach all of those classifications of customers the same in terms of providing them affordable energy, reliable energy and keeping an eye on our environmental responsibility,” McCullough says.
“San Antonio is definitely growing and it’s our job to make sure that we have the adequate energy resources to satisfy customer demand.”
CPS is building a new low-sulfur coal power plant that will be operational in 2010. It is also constructing peaking units – smaller power plants that will help meet demand during peak times, such as the summer months.
The power plant also works with area economic development officials to facilitate the location of businesses in the area by walking them through their energy options.
“We feel that’s part of our job,” McCullough says.
Many residents of the Alamo Area outside San Antonio turn to local energy providers and co-ops to meet their needs. The Medina Electric Cooperative is a member-owned energy provider that serves nearly 17,000 members in a 12,000 square mile area in Southwest Texas, according to Michael Wade, director of administrative services. The co-op offers both electricity and satellite-based high speed Internet.
The endeavor is an effort to keep what could be an impersonal effort closely involved with members across the region.
“It is extremely important to MEC to stay involved in our local communities and participate in local efforts as much as we can,” Wade says. “With the trend toward downsizing and closing local offices, MEC is committed more than ever to staying local and helping build our communities.”
Story by Story by Michaela Jackson
Photo by Photo by Wes Aldridge
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