Jan. 4

One of the largest U.S. wind farms has started full commercial operation in Colorado, generating enough electricity for 90,000 homes.

Cedar Creek wind farm in Weld County, Colo., started up on time and on budget. The 300.5-megawatt facility is a joint venture between international investment and asset management group Babcock & Brown Ltd. and BP Alternative Energy North America Inc.

"The folks who built Cedar Creek have shown how a project like this can be done in the right way, working with landowners and local elected officials and building a major project with a superb safety record," said Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter. "They have set a high standard and we´re pleased to have the Cedar Creek project in Colorado.

There was not a single lost-time incident during the facility´s construction, which Minneapolis-based general contractor M.A. Mortenson Co. oversaw. A full-time staff of 30 employees will monitor and maintain the site.

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