CORVALLIS, Ore. — Core Communications, located at 536 SW Second St., is supporting clean energy as a champion-level Blue Sky partner. By buying 20 blocks of Blue Sky each month, Core is offsetting two tons of carbon dioxide emissions each month, which has the environmental benefit of not driving a car 4,285 miles or planting 395 trees.

Core Communications began as Cascade Printing 60 years ago, and today serves customers in Corvallis, Eugene, Albany and Salem. Core Communications provides full service commercial printing, web development and database solutions for business needs. 

“By purchasing green power from Blue Sky we are reducing the amount of carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere, thus reducing our contribution to global warming and our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Ed Rettig, Core Communications owner.

With its Blue Sky purchase, Core is supporting the citywide renewable energy campaign. On October 17, the City Council approved a resolution launching the Corvallis Blue Sky Community challenge, a citywide campaign supporting greater renewable energy use. Blue Sky is made up of renewable energy generated by local wind, biomass and solar plants.

“For as little as $1.95 per month, Corvallis residents can green their homes and businesses, and help Corvallis become a national environmental leader,” said Doris Johnston, Pacific Power’s regional community manager.

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.

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 .

In addition to its Blue Sky participation, Core Communications is “Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified,” which means it offers to print on FSC Certified papers that originate from sustainably managed forests.  The company also is an active member of the Oregon Natural Step Network. As a result, Core has made significant upgrades to its facility, from energy efficient lighting to new air circulating systems. It has a companywide recycling program and its employees are into composting.

 “A responsible and sustainable business strives to have as little impact on the environment as possible and we all need to do our part,” said Teresa Bodwell, community outreach consultant for the Renewable Northwest Project, a nonprofit renewable energy advocacy group, and an employee of Core Communications.

The Challenge’s goal is to get 15 percent of the community to buy renewable power through Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program. The latest tally in Corvallis has 2,248 customers are enrolled in Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program, which is 9.6 percent or about seven times the national average.

Based on the high level of renewable power signups, the Environmental Protection Agency already has designated Corvallis as a Green Power Community. The City is buying 750 blocks of Blue Sky each month.

For more information about Core Communications call 541-758-0755, or email: teresa@corecomm.us , or visit their website: www.corecomm.us .

Media inquiries:  newsdesk@pacificorp.com