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Town of Medicine Bow (Wyo.) recognized for wind turbines at water facilities

Release Date: 06/22/2011
Contact Information: Brian Friel, 303-312-6277,friel.brian@epa.gov; Richard Mylott, 303-312-6654

Recovery Act investments in renewable energy

(Denver, Colo. – June 22, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today presented awards to the Town of Medicine Bow, Wyo., for the innovative use of green energy in its water and wastewater treatment operations. Diane Sanelli, director of EPA’s state revolving fund program in Denver, presented Mayor Kevin Colman a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) award and a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) award.

In 2010, the Town of Medicine Bow received a $64,908 CWSRF loan and a $51,896 DWSRF loan from the Wyoming State Lands and Investments Office and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to install nine wind turbines at its sewage and drinking water facilities. Each loan was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and was subsidized through 100% principal forgiveness via the Recovery Act’s Green Project Reserve.

Water and wastewater treatment are energy-intensive processes. Using renewable energy sources to help power these systems offers clear benefits for environmental results and sustainability. The turbines are rated at 2.4 kW each for a total rating of more than 21 kW. The town will use the wind power to offset electricity demands.

“Medicine Bow is an example for other communities looking to become more energy and cost efficient,” said Sanelli. “In the long run, these are investments that will help reduce water and wastewater utility costs and reduce pollution.”

With the passages of the Amendments to the Clean Water Act in 1987, and to the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1996, the U.S. Congress made funds for water infrastructure improvements readily available. EPA’s state revolving fund program provides low-interest subsidized loans for water quality or drinking water projects. The program also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities. Nationally, CWSRFs have funded over $84 billion in water quality projects and DWSRFs have funded over $20 billion in drinking water projects.

For more information visit our Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund websites.