Sam Houston Electric Cooperative is keeping a close watch on the ever-changing landscape of power generation. The use of hydropower is expanding and opportunities to harness biomass and solar power are rising. Electric co-ops are leading the way to a cleaner energy future.

Demand for electricity is increasing. Climate change legislation will impact cost, and we can’t be certain that power resources existing today will always be available. But we’re doing what electric cooperatives do best—building new generation facilities, reducing our dependence on power purchased from other sources, and working to ensure reliable, low-cost electricity for the future.

Working with East Texas Electric Cooperative, four natural gas-fired peaking units were purchased as a cost-effective solution to meeting rising energy demands. Relocated from Warren, Miss., the four units are being combined into two power stations; one located south of Shepherd and the other located south of Kountze. The power station south of Shepherd came online this summer, while the identical station located south of Kountze will be operational later this fall.

Another exciting project of ETEC is the 24 megawatt Lake Livingston Hydroelectric Facility, which is expected to be on line by 2012. ETEC also announced late July that a contract has been finalized with North American Procurement Company to develop a wood-fueled biomass plant in Woodville, Texas. The plant will be the first of its kind for the area, converting excess wood materials into renewable, carbon-neutral power for ETEC member cooperatives. When completed, the plant will have the capability of producing 50 megawatts of power.

ETEC is made up of 10 electric cooperatives, including Sam Houston EC, serving more than 300,000 members in East Texas. For more information about ETEC, please visit www.etec.coop.