Portland Becomes Largest EPA Green Power Community
October 20, 2010
PORTLAND, Ore. — The City of Portland has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an EPA Green Power Community, becoming the 15th community in Oregon and 33rd in the nation to receive the designation. The federal agency extends the honor to communities that show their commitment to environmental sustainability by purchasing renewable energy in amounts that meet or exceed EPA purchase requirements.
A whirlwind two-month challenge, co-sponsored by the City of Portland, Portland General Electric (PGE) and Pacific Power tripled its goal of 1,000 new signups for renewable energy programs offered by the two utilities with 3,130 sign-ups — 3,056 residential and 74 business customers.
The EPA today recognized the achievement, naming Portland the nation’s newest EPA Green Power Community at the national Renewable Energy Markets conference being held in Portland, Ore., this week. Portland is the largest city ever to achieve this designation.
“I'm incredibly proud to be in Portland to present this designation,” said Beth Craig, deputy assistant administrator for the office of air and radiation for the EPA. “By supporting green power, Portland is demonstrating civic leadership and its willingness to act on its stated environmental goals and serves as model for the rest of the West Coast and for other communities across the country.”
Portlanders are collectively purchasing more than 675 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is equal to about 9 percent of the community's total electricity use. About 16 percent of Portland homes and businesses are now participating in a renewable energy program offered by either PGE or Pacific Power. Portland’s collective green power purchase is equivalent to taking nearly 93,000 passenger vehicles off the road for a year.
“Portland's residents and entrepreneurs answered the call to action when it comes to our environment and our economy,” said Portland Mayor Sam Adams. “The success of the Green Power Challenge shows just one more reason why we should be proud to call Portland our home.”
“We couldn’t be more proud of our customers who stepped up to the challenge and tripled the goal of 1,000 sign-ups,” said Carol Dillin, vice president of customers and economic development for PGE. “These remarkable results underline Portlanders’ commitment to sustainability in the way they live and do business.”
“It was said a long time ago about Portland that the wealth of this city is found in its citizens,” said Pat Egan, Pacific Power’s vice president of customer and community affairs. “Portland has proved that again by this tremendous commitment to renewable energy and the values that represents.”
About Pacific Power: In 2010, Pacific Power celebrates 100 years serving customers and communities. From our beginnings -- serving 7,000 customers in four Northwest communities -- Pacific Power now provides electric service to almost 730,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California.
About PGE
PGE, headquartered in Portland, is a fully integrated electric utility that serves more than 822,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oregon. Visit PGE on the web at www.PortlandGeneral.com.
About EPA’s Green Power Communities
EPA Green Power Communities are cities, towns, villages or Native American Tribes where the local government, businesses and residents collectively procure green power in amounts that meet or exceed EPA's purchase requirements as part of the Green Power Partnership. More than 30 cities and towns in Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin have become Green Power Communities, Learn more at http://epa.gov/greenpower/communities/index.htm.
* Customers will not have electricity from a specific generation facility delivered directly to their house or business.
