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Partusch hired a local crew to erect two wind turbines July 20, 2010. "Just thought since we were selling so much high efficiency equipment to our customers we would kind of practice what we preach and try this out," said company owner Larry Partusch. The turbines will generate power for Partusch Plumbing and Heating and Northern Sheet Metal.

The management at Partusch wanted to set an example. "We've really started putting a lot of high efficiency installations in and there's so much hype about all of the renewable energy that's out there. Since we didn't have any lakes or waterfalls to go hydro we decided to go with wind," said Terry Bolton, manager Partusch Plumbing and Heating.

Partusch is the first business in Anchorage to install wind turbines and plug into the Chugach power grid. “I think, you know, a year down the road when we look at their energy bill it's, hopefully it's supplying some of those costs," said Martin Leonard, Susitna Energy who sold and installed the turbines.

The turbines are expected to produce 10 to 15 percent of the electricity the Partusch offices, warehouse and Northern Sheet Metal shop uses. In times of little energy use the Partusch turbines will actually send surplus power back into the Chugach Electric power grid.

Partusch spent about six months planning the project and about $50,000 for the two 60 foot tall wind generators. Larry Partusch doesn’t expect the turbines to pay for themselves, but is pleased to set an environmentally conscious example for other Anchorage businesses.