PORTLAND, Ore. — According to Metro Council, protecting clean air and clean water does not stop at the city limits or at county lines. In that vein, the regional agency is buying 574 blocks per month of Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy.

“Investing in Blue Sky was a logical fit for this agency, given all the work we do with parks, natural areas, fish and wildlife habitat, and recycling,” said Metro Council President David Bragdon. “Supporting cleaner energy generation is consistent with Metro’s values and practices.”
 
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. Over the course of a year, Metro’s Blue Sky purchase will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 689 tons, which has the same environmental benefit of planting 271 acres of trees or not driving 1.47 million miles.

Metro takes a regional approach to protecting open space, caring for parks, planning for the best use of land, managing garbage disposal and increasing recycling for 1.3 million residents in the Portland area. Metro oversees world-class facilities such as the Oregon Zoo, which contributes to conservation and education, and the Oregon Convention Center, which benefits the region’s economy.

“By participating in the Blue Sky program, Metro is helping bring additional clean resources on-line,” said Stan Watters, president of Pacific Power. “Beyond the clean air benefits, growth in wind power is creating new jobs and contributing to the local tax base.”

Metro is making its purchase through Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Quantity Savings program, which allows large wind energy purchases (at least 101 blocks per month for a year) at a reduced cost. 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, which allows customers to receive their equivalent energy usage from renewable resources, or Blue Sky Habitat, which allows customers to buy renewable energy, and make a donation to The Nature Conservancy of Oregon to preserve native fish habitat.

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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