AT&T's new power purchase agreement will deliver renewable energy from two new wind farm projects in Wilbarger and Hardeman Counties, Texas. The new agreement builds on AT&T's previous investments backing two wind energy centers in Webb and Duval Counties in Texas and Caddo County, Oklahoma.
Together, these agreements will deliver 820 MW of wind power. The company expects the projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking more than 530,000 cars off the road or providing electricity for more than 372,000 homes per year (EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator )
"We're going big on renewable energy. It's a clean, abundant, renewable source of home-grown power," said Joe Taylor, vice president of global tech optimization and implementation, AT&T. "As one of the world's largest companies, our investments can help scale this critical energy source for America's transition to a low-carbon economy."
AT&T's investments in renewable energy are anticipated to aid in the creation of jobs and provide economic benefits. NextEra Energy Resources estimates the AT&T-backed wind farm projects will create as many as 1,000 construction jobs in Texas and Oklahoma. The projects are also estimated to generate upwards of $190 million in property tax revenues for local communities and more than $167 million in lease payments to landowners.
During the groundbreaking event, AT&T also announced a $50,000 contribution to Texas State Technical College to create the AT&T Wind Energy Scholarship fund. The fund provides financial assistance for students earning a TSTC wind energy degree or certificate and is open exclusively to students from counties with AT&T-backed wind farms (Webb, Duval, Wilbarger and Hardeman Counties). NextEra Energy Resources has committed to interview graduates of the TSTC program for future wind technician positions, as they become available, as well as internship opportunities.
The scholarship complements a new wind energy program being established at Webb County Consolidated Independent Schools and supported by NextEra Energy Resources.
"We are grateful to both NextEra Energy Resources and AT&T for their generous contributions to establish one of the nation's first high school wind energy programs and for creating a new and exciting career path for our students," said Beto Gonzalez, superintendent of Webb Consolidated Independent School District.
