SEASIDE, Ore. — The holiday starfish linking Seaside’s streets are shimmering a little greener thanks to Blue Sky renewable energy from Pacific Power.

Pacific Power is providing 14,192 kwh of Blue Sky renewable energy to offset the power used by the 42 starfish light displays at downtown businesses. This amount of green power has the same environmental benefit as not driving a car 32,145 miles or planting 3,120 trees.

“Blue Sky helps the environment by offsetting greenhouse gas emissions,” said Sheila Holden, regional community manager for Pacific Power. “Blue Sky is made up of renewable energy generated by wind, biomass and solar plants. While Pacific Power already buys renewable energy for its system, Blue Sky gives customers a chance to help bring even more green power online.”

Pacific Power customers can also celebrate the holidays by greening their own homes and businesses. There is a variety of options: Buying just one, 100-kilowatt hour increment of Blue Sky Block costs only $1.95 per month. Customers can buy as many blocks as they wish. Oregon customers can also choose Blue Sky Usage (in which customers offset all of their energy usage with renewable resources for slightly more per month) or Blue Sky Habitat (in which customers buy renewable energy, plus make a donation to The Nature Conservancy of Oregon to preserve native fish habitat). For the average Oregon customer, Blue Sky Usage costs an additional 10 percent per month.  Large customers can buy renewable power in bulk at a discount through Blue Sky QS.

Enrollment in Blue Sky is optional and customers can increase their participation or withdraw at any time. Customers can sign up for Blue Sky renewable power by calling Pacific Power at 1-800-769-3717 or by visiting www.pacificpower.net/bluesky . Currently, about 20,500 Oregonians are enrolled in one of the three options.

Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program ranks second in the nation in customer participation and third in the amount of green energy purchased, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com