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The U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) recognized Utah’s Greater Moab Area in early-November as the nation's first Green Power
Community.
During a public ceremony the EPA presented the community with a banner and street sign celebrating the milestone.
By having 4 percent of the Moab Area Community’s electricity offset through Utah Power's Blue Sky renewable energy program,
EPA estimates the environmental benefit is equivalent to avoiding the generation of 4 million pounds of carbon dioxide.Utah Power is Pacific Power's sister company
.
In August 2004, the City of Moab, Castle Valley, Park Creek Ranch, and Spanish Valley, Utah became the first community in
the nation to meet and exceed the EPA Green Power Partnership’s minimum benchmark for green power usage with voluntary purchases.
“Being the first in the nation to achieve this designation is a huge coup for a little community like ours,” said Andy Nettell,
owner of Arches Book Company and Blue Sky participant (in a
Moab Times-Independent article). “Any consumer who’s conscious of the energy problems of the country will recognize businesses that are forward
thinking in this regard. It makes sense to use renewable energy resources. It’s a no-brainer.”
“The Moab Community is pioneering a collaborative effort between businesses and residents to increase the area’s green power
usage,” said Matt Clouse, Director of the EPA Green Power Partnership Program in a
Salt Lake Tribune article.
Nearly 15 percent of Moab area customers are participating in the Blue Sky program. This percentage is significantly higher
than any other community Pacific Power or Utah Power serves—and well above the national average.
Grand County's purchases over a year are equivalent to the output of one 1 megewatt wind turbine.
Learn more about Pacific Power's Blue Sky program:
Pictured above, from left: Ernie Wessman, Utah Power; Mitchell May, Synergy; Mayor Bruce Keeler, Castle Valley; Jane Dillon,
Synergy; Joe Kingsley, Chamber of Commerce; John Andrews, Footprints; Jim Collar, Footprints; Matt Clouse, EPA; Melissa Schmaedick,
Moab Folk Festival; Mayor Dave Sakrison, City of Moab; Sarah Wright, Utah Clean Energy.
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