HOOD RIVER, Ore. — Margaret and Chris Ohlson, owners of Mother’s Market Place, began buying Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable power because they believe it’s part of their slogan to be “more than just a health food store.”

Mothers signed up for Blue Sky after talking with Jaimes Valdez of Renewable Northwest Project, a local environmental advocacy group. “We’re all trying to do what we can to make the best use of the resources available to us,” said Margaret Ohlson. “We want to be a part of this effort and learn as we go.

“We’re very committed to vegetarian and organic food, and promoting good health. In the process, we think it’s important to pay attention to what’s going on around us and to take care of the land.”

Mother’s Market Place, located at 106 Hwy. 35 in Hood River, is supporting clean energy as a champion-level Blue Sky partner. By buying 10 blocks of Blue Sky each month, it is offsetting a ton of carbon dioxide emissions, which has the environmental benefit of not driving a car 2,142 miles or planting 195 trees.

Buying just one, 100-kilowatt hour increment of Blue Sky Block costs $1.95 per month. Oregon customers can also choose Blue Sky Usage (in which customers receive their equivalent energy usage from renewable resources) or Blue Sky Habitat (in which customers buy renewable energy, plus make a $2.50 monthly donation to The Nature Conservancy of Oregon to preserve native fish habitat). Large customers can buy renewable power in bulk at a discount through Blue Sky QS.

While Pacific Power already buys renewable energy for its customers, Blue Sky brings even more wind power into the system and encourages wind farm development. Pacific Power’s Blue Sky customers added two new wind farms to the voluntary program’s renewable portfolio, buying energy from Nine Canyon Wind Project near Kennewick, Wash., and from the Pleasant Valley Wind Energy facility near Evanston, Wyo.

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 .

Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com