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EPA and Partners Celebrate Nation’s Largest Federally Owned Wind Farm; Site near Amarillo now generates power for nearby plant

Release Date: 06/17/2014
Contact Information: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbar, R6Press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (June 17, 2014) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and partner organizations celebrated the dedication of the Pantex Renewable Energy Project (PREP) near Amarillo, TX. The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) led the development of the project, which includes the nation’s largest federally owned wind farm.

“The National Nuclear Security Administration and Pantex have shown outstanding leadership not only cleaning up this site, but also turning it into a source of clean, renewable energy,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “Their innovation will serve as an example of the natural connection between environmental sustainability and economic benefit.”

The wind farm will generate nearly 47 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. This will provide about 60 percent of the energy for the nearby Pantex Plant, the nation’s primary facility for the assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of nuclear weapons.

EPA Superfund Division Director Carl Edlund presented Pantex and NNSA with an award recognizing their innovative reuse of the site. Cleanup of groundwater contamination will continue at the site.

General Frank Klotz, Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and National Nuclear Security Administrator, dedicated the facility during a ceremony on Tuesday morning. Elected officials and leaders from Amarillo’s business community were also on hand for the dedication.

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