PORTLAND, Ore. – From the high desert rimrock of Lake County, to the headquarters of the state’s largest port, to the historic city at the mouth of the Columbia River, to the endless churning of the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Power is helping fund small renewable energy projects that will help define Oregon’s energy future.

For 2007, Pacific Power has awarded a total of $445,000 to four separate projects across the company’s service area. Funded by customers who have chosen to participate in Pacific Power’s voluntary Blue Sky renewable energy program, the awards are being provided to further customer commitment to developing and promoting new sources of clean energy.

“These grants will mean better understanding and development of renewable energy technology, helping all of us move toward a cleaner environment,” said Gov. Ted Kulongoski. “I commend Pacific Power for making these investments.  Your Blue Sky program is a national model, and I’m proud an Oregon company is making this happen.”

Pacific Power customers who buy Blue Sky renewable energy are supporting increasing amounts of clean, renewable energy on the electric grid and encouraging more renewable energy development in the region. The growth of the Blue Sky program is now also helping support these additional community-based renewable projects. Statewide, about 30,000 customers have chosen Blue Sky.

The awards are:

           Solar energy project at the Port of Portland’s planned new headquarters at Portland International Airport. Besides supplying some of the building’s power needs, the high-visibility project will also raise awareness of solar power through an educational display in the main terminal. The overall project is set to begin construction in the fall of 2007 with completion in spring 2010. Award amount: $225,000.

           Wave energy project, Oregon State University. The university's Wave Energy

Research Program is creating a wave motion simulator to study in detail the effect of ocean movements on wave energy devices. Results are expected to provide vital information on how to optimize wave-based power generators. The simulator should be ready for operation in October 2007. Award amount: $65,000.

            Blue Sky Renewable Energy Demonstration Center. This Lakeview project will highlight several forms of renewable energy and add to the southeastern Oregon city’s growing reputation as a renewable energy hot spot. The demonstration center should be operational by December 2007. Award amount: $25,000.

            Astoria Hydro and Wind Power Feasibility Study. The city of Astoria is examining if it can cost-effectively generate hydro power at its city-owned reservoir. In addition, it will study wind power possibilities in the hills of the watershed. Study set for 2008. Award amount: $25,000.

Events will be held locally for each project when they reach appropriate milestones. For information on how to apply for 2008 awards, go to http://www.pacificpower.net/Article/Article71297.html

For information on how to participate in the Blue Sky program, go to http://www.pacificpower.net/Homepage/Homepage35754.html

About Pacific Power

Pacific Power strives to promote innovation and works with customers and communities to increase the visibility of clean and renewable energy generation technologies through education and community outreach. Pacific Power is headquartered in Portland, and provides electric service to more than 713,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. It is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, providing approximately 1.7 million customers with reliable, efficient energy. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment.

About Blue Sky

Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program recently was ranked among the top programs in the nation by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory in its annual ranking of leading utility green power programs. Pacific Power ranked second in the nation for the third consecutive year in the number of customers buying renewable power and fourth for renewable energy sales volume for 2006. The company has ranked in the top five in these categories for the past several years.

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