Wal-Mart to Use Wind Power in Texas Stores

Wal-Mart is often the subject of unfavorable press, but last week, they took another step towards being a greener company. The company announced a deal with Duke Energy to use wind power for 15 percent of the electricity at hundreds of its Texas stores.

A Duke wind farm set to become operational in the spring, will provide the wind power. The company sees this contract as a long-term investment in wind power and believes that renewable energy can be cost-competitive with traditional power sources.

However you feel about Wal-Mart, when large box stores and other mainstream companies get on board with renewable energy, you know that we've reached a critical turning point in our society. This type of news is very encouraging and I hope that it keeps coming.

via Environmental Capital

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Sr. Product Marketing
written by Todd Armstrong, November 24, 2008

In fact Wal-Mart needs to be a leader in "green" and not just that it is good for business. In this economy, the economically sound and industry leaders must demonstrate that this is a good investment and there is no longer time to wait.

Leader in Green?
written by Kate Green, November 25, 2008

People are so easily fooled by public relations engineering.

This is the height of hypocrisy, Walmart buys a litte bit of wind farm power in Texas... as if that negates the effects of the 'outsourced' pollution created on their behalf in China.

this is a good sign
written by bobbobberson, November 25, 2008

Contrary to the above comment, Wal-Mart doesn't give a flying flip about the way it looks, or what people thing about it. It cares about making a profit, like it should. And if the time has come that solar power in Texas is profitable for an industry then it is a time to applaud.

If Wal-Mart uses products from china that are built using coal-fired electricity then how is that Wal-Mart's fault? Force China into Kyoto, or greenwash their public to demand renewable resources in electricity.

Feed-In Tariff?
written by Carl, November 25, 2008

I couldn't find any details of "purchasing renewable power", other than "at traditional energy rates" in the press release. If renewable energy developers have a long term contract with predictable energy prices, then it's a low risk deal to get credit. They seem to be tight lipped about this deal (in the articles I found), so is this deal anything other than a press release?

Where's the Solar on the Roof
written by bluetoad, November 30, 2008

I'll believe that Wal-Mart gets it when I see all those acres and acres of Big Box Roof Tops get Solar Panels. Until that happens, its just posturing.

...
written by Ford trucks, December 01, 2008

Wal-Mart’s goal to use 100 percent renewable energy, we have announced our first substantial purchase of this clean fuel, which will provide up to 15 percent of the total energy for about 360 Texas stores and facilities.

Promo Product Solutions
written by Vincent Torres, December 17, 2008

I was just thinking about product marketin by wal mart and you’ve really helped out. Thanks!

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Wal-Mart to Use Wind Power in Texas Stores

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