Denton wants to use more renewable energy sources
Alejandro Medellin | Staff Writer
Denton officials unveiled today an initiative for the city to use more renewable energy sources, and to build a natural gas plant by 2019.
City staff said the plan is for Denton to obtain 70 percent of its energy through solar and wind energy, an increase from the current 40 percent, which is detailed on the city’s newly launched website.
Denton Municipal Electric provides 41 percent of the city’s energy from renewable sources, according to the website. Forty percent is made up by wind energy, and the other 1 percent is made up of landfill gas. By 2019 Denton officials want 52 percent wind energy and 17 percent solar energy with the remaining 1 percent still being landfill gas energy.
“I think it’s good we’re starting the conversation,” said Denton Mayor Chris Watts. “It looks like something that could be very exciting.”
The mayor said this effort began by talking with residents. He said renewable energy became so affordable that the plan was able to move forward.
District 1 councilman Kevin Roden said people who oppose hydraulic fracturing inside the city limits are concerned about the new natural gas plant being built while others support the proposal.
“We want to include the citizens in any big decision the city makes,” he said. “But by and large the people I talked to are excited about it.”
The mayor also said he wanted to include the residents of Denton throughout the planning phases.
The site for the natural gas plant has not yet been chosen because the plan is in its early stages. Denton residents will be able to have their questions about the plan answered from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19 and Tuesday, Oct. 27 at the Denton Civic Center.
Featured Image: Courtesy | City of Denton
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