Multichannel News recently reported that "KNTV in San Jose . . . is powered entirely by wind". This article is widely referenced on the web, including in a Wikipedia citation. I was curious about this statement, knowing that the transmission operation alone for a terrestrial television broadcaster typically draws tens of kilowatts of power on a 24/7 basis.

A close read of the press release issued by KNTV's parent NBC Universal clarifies the issue with several references to wind energy applying to its "main studios". Presumably, this does not include the transmitter on San Bruno mountain or functions like master control handled out of NBC Burbank instead of the local facility.

This observation is not intended to detract from either NBC Universal's efforts toward or Multichannel News' coverage of green media; both are commendable. It does highlight the diligence we all have to undertake in assessing our own carbon footprint and those of others. Taking care of "externalities" is critical in a distributed ICT and enterprise landscape.

The issues of power consumption and carbon emissions will continue to challenge terrestrial broadcasters of radio and television content, particularly as they compete with podcasting and streaming in the media delivery marketplace.