MEDFORD, Ore. — Pronto Print is investing in renewable energy through Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program because “it’s the right thing to do,” according to the company.

Located at 9 E. Fourth Street, the print shop is buying 10 blocks a month of Blue Sky Block wind power. “This is a great program and more people should participate in it,” said Arnie Klott, owner of Pronto Print. “The main reason we bought into Blue Sky is civic responsibility. As a small business – or any business for that matter – we feel it is important to help protect the environment. Everyone should take part in finding and using alternative and less environmentally impacting sources of energy.”

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.

For more than 30 years, Pronto Print has been operating in the Rogue River Valley. “Whether it’s recycling our paper, providing recycled printing and copying options, or installing energy-saving lights – we have always done our best to take advantage of energy and resource-saving options as they become available to us,” Klott said.

Over the course of a year, Pronto Print’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.

“Pronto Print’s commitment to renewable energy is demonstrated by the company’s Blue Sky purchase,” said Paige Prewett, outreach coordinator for Renewable Northwest Project. “It’s a great example of how businesses can take action to benefit Oregon’s environment and economy.”

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.

Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com