CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — Rogue Valley Sewer Services is investing in renewable energy through Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program because “it’s the right thing to do,” according to the company.

The agency is buying 10 blocks a month of Blue Sky Block wind power. “I signed up for Blue Sky after hearing a pitch at Rotary,” said Chuck Root, general manager of Rogue Valley Sewer Services. “We not only need to think about today, but future generations as well.”

Blue Sky enables customers to help bring more renewable energy into the region. Energy generated from wind, biomass, solar and geothermal helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Wind power produces no air pollutants, wastewater, smog or acid rain.

Over the course of a year, Rogue Valley Sewer’s Blue Sky purchase reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 12 tons, which has the same environmental benefit as not driving 27,500 miles or planting 2,340 trees.

“By purchasing Blue Sky, Rogue Valley Sewer Services has become a role model for other public facilities to support clean electricity,” said Paige Prewett, outreach coordinator for Renewable Northwest Project. “It’s a simple and inexpensive opportunity for civic bodies to join the push for renewable electricity, and benefit our community, economy and environment.”

Buying just one, 100-kilowatt hour increment of Blue Sky Block costs only $1.95 per month. Oregon customers also can 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 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 Quantity Savings.

Buying Blue Sky helps support local wind farm development. Recently, Pacific Power purchased 40,000 megawatt hours of wind power from the Nine Canyon Wind Project. Located near the Stateline Wind facility on the Oregon-Washington border, Nine Canyon is one the largest public power-owned wind projects in the nation. It consists of 49 turbines, each capable of producing 1.3 megawatts of electricity.

Enrollment in Blue Sky is optional and customers can change their participation or withdraw at any time. For more information or to sign up for Blue Sky, go to www.pacificpower.net/bluesky or call 1-800-769-3717.

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