CORVALLIS, Ore. — To First Alternative Co-op’s Michele Adams, paying a little extra for renewable energy is similar to the idea behind buying a hybrid vehicle.

“I used to think that the power companies should be paying for the wind-power research, not the consumer,” said Michele Adams, general manager of First Alternative Co-op. “But I think we all need to participate on the level we can afford so that we can have alternatives to polluting the way we do things now.”

As general manager of First Alternative Co-op, Adams elected to purchase 101 blocks per month of Blue Sky Quantity Savings from Pacific Power for each of the two Corvallis locations: the store at Northwest 29th and Grant Street and at 1007 S.E. 3rd St.

“As businesses and individuals, we need to pitch in to help in these transition years so that we can have a better, more environmentally clean product,” Adams said.

Over the course of a year, First Alternative Co-op’s Blue Sky purchase of 202 blocks per month will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 242 tons, which has the same environmental benefit of planting 47,611 trees or not driving 519,342 miles.

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.

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.

The co-op hasn’t limited its sustainable practices to renewable power. It has installed solar panels, rack systems for its compressors, and energy-efficient lighting. It recycles and reuses containers and dishes, plants trees, uses green cleaning products and contributes to local environmental groups.

“By participating in the Blue Sky program, businesses and residents of Corvallis are helping bring additional clean resources on-line,” said Doris Johnston, Pacific Power’s regional community manager. “Beyond the clean air benefits, growth in wind power is creating new jobs in rural areas and contributing to the local tax bases.”

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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