HOOD RIVER, Ore. — Nobody understands wind better than a Columbia Gorge resident.

“If we could harness the wind that blows through Hood River on a “nuker” day – as the wind surfers say – we could power the entire Gorge,” said Sandi Borowy, Hood River County’s director of Budget & Finance.

The Oregon/Washington border has become a Mecca for wind power development and Pacific Power is giving its customers a chance to help bring more wind-generated electricity into the system through its Blue Sky program. The Hood River County Board of Commissioners showed its support recently by making a large purchase of renewable wind power.

“The Hood River County Board of Commissioners has set renewable energy as one of its priorities with the thought that every person and business is responsible for the care taking of our environment,” said Rodger Schock, Chair of the Hood River County Board of Commissioners.  “Participation in Blue Sky affords an opportunity to participate in a solution at minimal cost, and we are hoping that other businesses and individuals in the community will also join in the cause.”

The county is offsetting 100 percent of the library’s usage, buying 185 blocks per month through Pacific Power’s Blue Sky QS program. Blue Sky QS allows large business customers to buy wind energy from Pacific Power for less, providing they purchase at least 101 blocks of Blue Sky per month for a year.

The county’s purchase has a significant environmental benefit: over a year, Hood River County’s monthly purchase of 185 blocks of Blue Sky will offset 222 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which is the equivalent of taking 38 cars off the road for a year or planting 87 acres of trees.

The county decided to buy Blue Sky after a presentation by Jaimes Valdez, community outreach coordinator for Renewable Northwest Project (RNP). RNP is a nonprofit organization promoting renewable energy projects and policies in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

“More than 7 percent of Hood River is already choosing renewable energy through a Blue Sky option,” said Valdez. “If 15 percent of the community participates in the Blue Sky program, residents and businesses will make Hood River a top supporter of renewable energy in Oregon and a national leader.

Pacific Power uses Blue Sky dollars to acquire renewable energy from nearby wind farms, such as the Klondike wind farm in Sherman County.  Buying just one, 100-kwh block of Blue Sky for $1.95 each month has the same environmental benefit of either not driving 2,500 miles or planting a half acre of trees. Enrollment is optional and customers can increase their participation or withdraw at any time.

Valdez explained that while Pacific Power already buys renewable power for its customers, Blue Sky is a way to bring even more into the system and to promote clean power development.

"By promoting the use and development of wind power in this area we bring benefits to both the environment and the local economy," said Valdez. “Supporting renewable energy is a simple way to make a significant positive impact.”

Renewable energy – such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass – has a much lower impact on the environment than traditional methods of electricity generation. These resources produce no or very low levels of air pollutants, wastewater, smog and acid rain, and can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information or to sign up for Blue Sky, call 1-800-769-3717 or 
e-mail bluesky@pacificorp.com . Customers can sign up on line at www.pacificpower.net/bluesky

More about Pacific Power and Blue Sky

Pacific Power serves more than 529,114 Oregon customers with reliable, safe, low-cost electricity. The U.S. Dept. of Energy ranked Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program second in the nation for customers enrolled in a renewable power program; and third in the amount of renewable power sold. Nearly 40,000 customers buy Blue Sky in the Western U.S.  Over 20,000 Oregonians are now buying Blue Sky energy.

Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com