Windy future?

Along the stretch of undeveloped land between Los Fresnos and Port Isabel, a single windmill interrupts the monotony.

The city's developers and politicians say it could be the beginning of a transition to alternative energy, wind power. It could reduce electricity costs and mitigate dependence on foreign oil.

But for now, it's just an experiment-an incongruity along Highway 100, raising the eyebrows of oncoming drivers.

The windmill provides energy to the home of resident Charles Schmidt, saving him more than $100 on his monthly electricity bills. Schmidt's home is near the entrance to The Lakes, a soon-to-be-developed, 747-acre community near the city's rodeo grounds.

"It's not only economically viable, it's environmentally friendly," said Lakes developer Bill Hudson.

The 33-foot-tall unit will generate about 1.8 kilowatts of electricity to supplement the electric needs of the home. When energy provided by the windmill exceeds home use, power feeds back through a "reverse meter," and the owner is paid for energy provided to the region's electrical grid.

One day, Hudson says, the community will have 2,100 homes. Many of them will take strides to reduce their carbon footprints with windmills, solar panels and related technology.

But at $15,000, the windmill might be out of many residents' price range.

"We are watching very closely in the hopes that this may be a workable model for the future," said Los Fresnos Mayor David Winstead. "If this first wind generator is a success, we will implement a city ordinance for regulating their installation."

The Lakes could change the face of Los Fresnos, adding thousands of residents to the area and injecting money into the city's businesses. Hudson has plans to donate land for two Los Fresnos elementary schools.

But first, the development will have to brave the country's worst financial crisis in recent memory, which could delay its progress.

While developers continue preparations - as long as the wind stays at a steady eight miles per hour - The Lakes' first windmill will keep spinning.