CORVALLIS, Ore. — The Environmental Protection Agency’s Western Ecology Division in Corvallis recently doubled its participation in Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Block renewable energy program. It now buys 300 blocks of wind power each month. The facility originally signed up for Blue Sky in 2002, purchasing 150 blocks each month.

“Why did we do it? We’re concerned about conserving electricity and want to support alternative methods of power generation,” explained Jay Gile, Facility/Safety Manager at the EPA’s Corvallis facility. “Wind power is a big thing to us.”

Blue Sky Block is one of three renewable options Pacific Power offers its Oregon residential and business customers. Each helps spur renewable power development and brings additional amounts of wind energy into the power system — in addition to the renewable energy Pacific Power already acquires for its customers. Blue Sky Block is sold in 100-kilowatt hour “block” increments priced at $1.95 each.

According to Gile, the EPA’s Western Ecology Division scientists provide information to EPA offices and regions nationwide to improve our understanding of how human activities affect estuarine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Supporting wind power is a natural fit for the lab.

“Frankly, our employees expect it,” Gile said. “We try to do whatever we can to be a good role model for preserving the environment and conserving natural resources.”

Gile said the Division hopes to install a photovoltaic solar generating system on its roof this summer or fall to help conserve electricity. In addition, it subscribes to beneficial landscaping to conserve water, conserve fuel, and reduce the use of agricultural chemicals.

“PacifiCorp offers its customers some of the highest-quality green power options in the nation,” said Diane Zipper, director of green power programs at Renewable Northwest Project. RNP is a regional nonprofit organization promoting wind, solar and geothermal resources. “As more people become aware of these offerings, we hope they will express their support for clean energy by signing up.”

Renewable energy has a much lower environmental impact than traditional methods of electricity generation. Renewable power produces lower levels of air pollutants, wastewater, smog and acid rain compared to the average system mix. It also can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Nearly 17,000 Oregon Pacific Power customers currently choose from three renewable power options: Since 2002, renewable power sales in Oregon have been helped by Oregon’s Electricity Restructuring law, which has given customers greater choice in how they purchase their electricity.

Blue Sky Block— This option gives customers the flexibility to purchase fixed increments (blocks) of new wind power for an additional $1.95 per block. Payments go directly toward the purchase of wind power from newly developed wind farms.

Blue Sky Usage— Under this option, customers purchase all their electricity from new renewable resources — a blend of new wind, biomass and solar — for only $0.0078 (less than a penny) more per kwh than Basic Service rates.

Blue Sky Habitat— As with Blue Sky Usage, customers purchase all their electricity from new renewable resources — a blend of new wind, biomass and solar — for only $0.0078 (less than a penny) more per kwh than Basic Service rates. In addition, customers make a $2.50 monthly contribution to a nonprofit organization to support local salmon habitat restoration.

Customers who want to sign up for a renewable power option can call Pacific Power at
1-800-769-3717 or visit www.pacificpower.net/bluesky .

Pacific Power ranks among the nation’s top five companies for renewable energy sales and customer participation in green pricing programs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com