On May 4, 2007, a tornado touched down for a whopping 22 minutes in Greensburg, Kansas. The small town in the southwest corner of the state is a mere 1.7 miles wide, but the twister left a path of destruction two miles across, engulfing 95% of the town’s roads, buildings, businesses and homes.
Nearly two and a half years later, this same town showcased its avowed commitment to rebuilding “better and greener” with the groundbreaking ceremony of the 12.5-MW John Deere Wind Farm. Although just one of “Greensburg Green Town’s” many endeavors to rebuild in a sustainable way, this particular project illustrates a steadfast dedication and cooperation on behalf of local, state, and federal governments, private business, and citizens.
The John Deere Greensburg Wind Farm consists of ten Suzlon turbines, which will produce enough electricity to power 4,000 homes - satisfying 100% of the electricity needs of the citizens of Greensburg. Kansas Power Pool made its second wind power purchase agreement with the Greensburg project, allowing residents to acquire their electricity directly from the wind turbines in their backyards. This Farm will also help Kansas surpass its statewide renewable electricity standard of 10% by 2011 and it puts them on track to reach 20% renewables by 2020.
Vice President of John Deere Renewables, Dave Drescher, called this Farm “the most special community wind project” at the ceremony last Friday, and I couldn’t agree more. This community transformed a devastating incident into an opportunity not only for innovation and creativity, but also to exemplify the strength of the human spirit. The residents of Greensburg have willingly chosen to lessen their carbon footprints and in doing so, have created a new culture of environmentally aware and engaged citizens. It’s no wonder that President Obama called this town a “global example” in his very first address to Congress.
Greensburg has much to be proud of in celebrating the groundbreaking of this wind farm and its residents should be similarly commended for their resiliency and tenacity in creating a “green” paradigm for other towns around the world.
By Anyah Dembling |
