YAKIMA, Wash. – Pacific Power’s Energy FinAnswer and FinAnswer Express programs have been named exemplary programs by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy for helping businesses in Washington save energy and money.

“This is tremendous recognition for our customers,” said Jeff Bumgarner, Pacific Power’s director of demand side management. “FinAnswer helps these projects become a reality, but it is the drive and the imagination of our customers that makes these projects happen. Pacific Power sees the value of supporting these programs for all our customers. We will continue to support and expand these programs going forward. We see energy efficiency and usage reduction and management as a key piece of our energy future. ”

Both FinAnswer programs work simply to help businesses. Using either FinAnswer program gives customers access toPacific Power’s high-quality engineering services and cash incentives to help them upgrade to the most energy-efficient systems available. Program services and incentives are tailored to the specific needs of retrofit projects and new construction/major renovation projects.

  In Washington, Energy FinAnswer and FinAnswer Express have assisted more than 500 business and government customer projects, resulting in savings of more than 123 megawatt hours annually since 2001--or enough energy to serve approximately 7,800 average homes or 1,300 average businesses.

In addition to saving money and energy, the programs aid local economies. Money saved by individual businesses can be invested in other parts of the business, creating jobs or expanding services. Reducing energy use may mean fewer new power plants need to be built, holding down costs to all customers.

“It’s been a great partnership,” said Duane Cole, city manager of Walla Walla, Wash. “We’re building a new fire station this year and we’ve already looked into ways to engage Pacific Power in the design process so we can make it energy efficient.”

Said Chuck Hinckley, president of Jammer Gear Travel Plaza in Union Gap, Wash.: “Pacific Power’s participation made the payback into something that was reasonable. No matter what your finances are, if you can get your money back quickly, then it just makes sense.”

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy chose the FinAnswer programs as exemplary programs in the Commercial/Industrial Retrofit category. The programs help customers identify and quantify energy efficiency projects and provide incentives that reduce the project paybacks. To find out more, go to www.pacificpower.net/wasave or call 800-222-4335.

About Pacific Power

Pacific Power strives to promote innovation and works with customers and communities to increase the visibility of 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. As part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power provide approximately 1.7 million customers in six western states with reliable, efficient energy. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment.