Renewable Projects From Portland to Enterprise to Medford Get Funding via Pacific Power Program
January 30, 2012
PORTLAND, Ore. – Eight renewable energy projects located throughout Oregon and southern Washington are closer to reality thanks in part to funding from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program.
Taken together, the projects are set to receive up to $828,000 in 2012.
“The projects demonstrate our deep commitment to building a renewable energy future,” said Pat Reiten, president of Pacific Power. “Not only will these projects help supply renewable energy, but in many cases they are helping teach children and the public about renewable energy. We’re proud to be part of the effort along with our Blue Sky customers.”
“More than 43,000 of our customers choose to participate in our Blue Sky renewable energy program. That’s among the highest participation in the country,” said Pat Egan, vice president of customer and community affairs. “This interest allows us to work with our communities to provide additional benefits by funding on-the-ground, working renewable projects throughout the Northwest. We’re thrilled to help our Blue Sky customers direct a portion of their commitment to these worthwhile projects that help lead the way to even more renewable energy development.”
Funding has been awarded to:
Jason Lee Elementary School, Portland., 1.2 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $8,044
Jason Lee is a school with a culturally diverse K-8 population of more than 480 students. The 1.6-kilowatt solar array will be visible to all students and will be incorporated into the school curriculum through the comprehensive Solar 4R Schools education program. The Ecopalooza Project secured the remainder of funding for the installation through a 100 percent solar-powered concert/festival. Through a competitive process, Jason Lee K-8 was selected for the installation.
City of Corvallis Firehouse No. 1, 25 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $144,000
This dual-purposed carport will be covered by a 25-kilowatt array and will provide protection for some fire department vehicles, reducing the vehicles’ exposure to the elements. This installation will be highly visible, seen by more than 24,000 passing vehicles daily in addition to the visitors of the fire station. The fire station offers many tours to school children and community members throughout the year and is used for all City Council meetings as well as other public meetings.
City of Roseburg Public Safety Center, 40.17 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $104,902
This highly visible project will be atop the newly constructed Public Safety Center in downtown Roseburg and show the viability of alternative power projects to other businesses in the area.
Joyce Morgan Food Bank, 37.44 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $170,803
This roof-mounted solar installation will supply power and increase awareness of United Community Action Network’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and creating a project that is visible to thousands of people annually.
Rogue Valley International Airport, 15 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $100,000
The proposed array is an integrated solar canopy structure above three toll booths at the airport's parking lots. The 15-kilowatt array will serve as the actual canopy structure. The PV canopy will be visible from ground level and will cover the booths and lanes, protecting the booth employees and customers from inclement weather. This installation would be seen by over 1 million people who visit the Rogue Valley International Medford Airport (RVIMA) each year.
Wallowa County Integrated Biomass Energy Center, Enterprise, Ore., 100 kilowatt, biomass
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $80,000
This 100-kilowatt project is part of a natural resource-based economic development plan in Wallowa County and involves building and operating a profitable woody biomass combined heat and power (CHP) facility. This project is fully supported by local, county and state officials and will positively impact an economically depressed area by creating 25-30 jobs as well as create a market for woody biomass in a county that has traditionally depended on the timber industry.
City of Pendleton Wastewater Treatment Facility., 130 kilowatt, biomass
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $150,000
This project involves modifying the current treatment process of Pendleton's Waste Water Treatment Plant by installing a new cogeneration facility, including two new 65-kilowatt micro turbines. The new facility will provide a location for disposal of FOG (fats, oils and grease), food waste and other high energy waste streams to generate methane gas that will fuel the two micro-turbines, rather than being burned on-site using a flare. The project will result in a reduction in energy costs, ultimately reducing public costs.
Walla Walla Community College, 28 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $70,000
This 28-kilowatt system will cover a newly constructed carport structure near the campus’ Health Science and Performing Arts building and will be adjacent to a new high school skills center which is currently in design. The canopy will be approximately 120 feet long and 20 feet wide and will provide power to several electric vehicle charging stations.
About Blue Sky
Strong customer support has enabled the Blue Sky program to be instrumental in the creation of more federally recognized Green Power Communities than any other program in the nation. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has ranked Blue Sky fifth or better in the nation for the eighth consecutive year in the number of customers buying renewable power and for renewable power sales volume. The program is Green-e Energy Certified, which means the renewable energy supported meets the rigorous national environmental and consumer-protection standards established by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. For more information on Green-e Energy, visit www.green-e.org/energy. More than 43,000 customers in Pacific Power’s region are part of Blue Sky.
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 730,000 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.
