Wal-Mart Creates Its Own Electricity Company, Eyes Wind Power
by Justin Thomas, Virginia 
on 01.29.07
Recently, Wal-Mart quietly created its own electricity company in Texas, called Texas Retail Energy, to supply its stores with cheap power bought at wholesale prices. According to the Dallas Morning News, this saves the world's largest retailer about $15 million annually and gives the company total control over its utility bills. Chris Hendrix, general manager of Texas Retail Energy, said he would consider buying a renewable-energy power plant, such as a wind farm, if the company can't find enough vendors to meet Wal-Mart's eventual goal of using only renewable power. Wal-Mart is also considering selling power to it's customers, but that's probably a long way off, if it does happen. See more in this article from Dallas Morning News.
Follow @TreeHugger on Twitter & get our headlines with @TH_rss!
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- 7 Ways the Troubled Automotive Industry Could Change Your Car and Your Commute
- Forget Going Green Because It's the Right Thing to Do—Go Green to Make Your Neighbors Jealous
- Are You at Risk From Wind Turbine Syndrome?
- Green Glossary: Bagasse
- Why Do Some States Have Significantly Lower Carbon Emissions Than Others?
- 7 Great Weekend Solar Power Projects
Now if only Wal-Mart would pay their employees fair, livable wages and subsidize their health care.
Until then, let's stop celebrating their Green PR, huh?
Wow that is kinda scary? Isn't there some law against this? I mean why wouldn't every large company do this? I guess the green aspect is nice though.
We all have anti Wal-Mart sentiments but what a wonderful way for other huge corporations to look toward renewables for power!
They're planning ahead for the caron market is what I'm thinking
Wow,
Now Walmart is trying to get into banking & utilities too. Groceries and world domination just don't seem to be enough.
I'll gladly pay double or triple not to enslave 1000's of poor people just so Walmart can get FREE press for saving a MEASLY 15 million in utilities ... for themselves no less.
This is just like the EMPLOYEES donating to company sponsored charity drives and then watching the corporation take credit for it.
Walmart has such a tarnished image that this is nothing more than an attempt to win back many of us consumers that have learned to just say no to Walmart.
BTW ... since they don't pay FAIR wages and health care it's YOU & ME that gets to subsidize their " Always Low Prices " ... It's not so cheap now is it ?
Yeah I'm with the first poster....I would only give them props if they say, "we are going to have 15 million a year, and with that money we are going to provide a living wage to 50% of our employees." Of course this is not a bad thing that they are doing, but we should pat them on the back for using their newfound revenue appropriately.
John
http://www.monomachines.com
A step in the right direction. Will Walmart also being telling us about their green-house gas emissions. They ship a major of their product from over-seas.
I thought for y'all if you put your business caps on. This sounds like a classic move into vertical integration where a company tries to control all the aspects of their business. Think of Standard Oil or the Carnegie Steel corporation.
Consider the impact for a second - Walmart has a huge footprint. If it saves money using green tech they are likely to expand the idea to other inputs into their operation (trucking, logistics, building, etc.) And if it works for Walmart, most other corporations will follow.
Combined with their other green experiments on store design and their attempt to enter credit card processing, I think there is more here than just green washing. I think they are fundamentally changing the way they do business - not because its green because they want to make green.
My city (Mckinney, Texas) was I think 1 out of around 6 wal-marts that we're experimenting with wind energy. I'm glad to see wal-mart helping the enviorment.
Sorry to also be cynical of Wal Mart but, I think they did for two reasons, 1.) it saved them money and 2.) It makes them look better.
Is it a step in their expansionist agenda? Hard to tell but until they start giving back without recompense, I will remain skeptical and suspicious.
For too long they have been unrepentant capitalist imperialists in the traditions of Carnegie and Rockefeller with remarkably little of the philanthropic endeavors which now characterize those two elder names of industry.
Bullying Vendors and Employees alike in some cases, in violation of state and federal law in order for them to keep their profits high, while still trying to exude quiet Christian dignity, is an affront to just about every person who has anything to do with them.
But for the sake of the environment I do laud their choice of renewable energy.
I work for a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Florida. The small town I live in doesn't have many great paying jobs,however I would say about 80% of the some 500 something employees at my store are on some form of welfare. Amazing this company can save all this money and not help the employees.
Good Job Wal-Mart !!
Looks like the underachievers will continue to complain about you even on the news you are doing something very environmentally sensible.
Everyone is complaining about having livable wages for Walmart employees. If the employees are so concerned about their living conditions why didnt they find themselves a real job that pays for their living expenses instead of working in retail and complaining about the company when they could have been in school to become something better in today's society.