Despite Wray wind turbine debacle, Ritter still touting carbon offsets

Gov. Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper love a good media opportunity, so in honor of Earth Day the pair announced a $100,000 donation from the Democratic National Convention’s 2008 Host Committee for carbon-offset projects.

Curiously, there was no mention of the Wray wind turbine, which was tapped for the DNC’s carbon-offset program last August but didn’t generate any electricity.

WrayPost.com/Used with permission

A Face The State investigation revealed that carbon offset funds from the DNC were being invested in the turbine even though it never produced marketable energy due to massive equipment malfunctions. The wind turbine was temporarily repaired and produced some energy before failing again in early February. Sources tell Face The State the turbine remains out of commission today.

Despite the failure of the Wray wind turbine, Ritter is still touting carbon offsets. The $100,000 donation will go to the Colorado Carbon Fund, established by the Governor's Energy Office, and will be used to support “new energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Colorado.”