Business FAQ

To learn more, click on any question below; click on it again to "close" it.

Learn more about the Blue Sky renewable energy program

What is renewable energy and why is it important?

Renewable energy generates electricity with little or no emissions by effectively using resources that can replenish themselves naturally – in other words, they won’t run out. The natural resources that are utilized in the Blue Sky program include wind and sunlight (solar). Another category of renewable energy is biomass. Biomass includes organic matter and other wastes used to generate electricity. Common sources of biomass electricity supported by the Blue Sky program include burning both sawdust at lumber mills and methane produced at landfills.

Renewable energy is important for many reasons, including:

Less impact on the environment than non-renewable sources
Lower levels of air pollutants and wastewater
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Reduced reliance on imported and domestic fossil fuels
Boost to local economies through job creation and investments in local renewable energy projects

Less impact on the environment than non-renewable sources

Lower levels of air pollutants and wastewater

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

Reduced reliance on imported and domestic fossil fuels

Boost to local economies through job creation and investments in local renewable energy projects

How does Blue Sky work?

When you enroll in Blue Sky, Pacific Power purchases certified renewable energy credits from regional renewable energy facilities on your behalf. This guarantees that electricity from wind, solar and biomass facilities is delivered to the regional power system. Electricity from renewable energy facilities replaces and reduces the need for electricity generated from non-renewable sources like fossil fuels, creating measurable environmental benefits.

Why should my business purchase Blue Sky?

Choosing renewable energy offers a number of benefits to your business. When you enroll in the Blue Sky renewable energy program from Pacific Power, your company can:

Avoid carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (even just at $1.95 per month, your business will avoid 1,462 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year)
Be a leader in your community and industry
Generate customer loyalty and employee pride
Create positive publicity and earn recognition benefits from Pacific Power
Differentiate your company from the competition
By supporting regional and local renewable energy - employees and customers will be proud to support your business

Choosing renewable energy offers a number of benefits to your business. When you enroll in the Blue Sky renewable energy program from Pacific Power, your company can:

Avoid carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (even just at $1.95 per month, your business will avoid 1,462 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year)

Be a leader in your community and industry

Generate customer loyalty and employee pride

Create positive publicity and earn recognition benefits from Pacific Power

Differentiate your company from the competition

By supporting regional and local renewable energy - employees and customers will be proud to support your business

What options are available to my business to support renewable energy?

The Blue Sky program provides your business with an easy way to support renewable energy development in the region. All businesses have the option to offset a portion of all of their energy usage by purchasing fixed increments (blocks) of 100 kilowatt-hours for a flat additional amount each month. You can purchase as many block as you would like. Learn more about your options»

Small business options

Program Option	Description	Customer Segment	Extra cost
Blue Sky Block	100% regional wind energy, sold in blocks of 100 kwh	Available to all customer segments	$1.95 per 100 kwh block
Blue Sky Usage (Oregon only)	100% renewable energy – a regional blend of at least 61% wind, up to 38% biomass and 1% solar	Small non-residential (Schedules 23 and 41)	Less than a penny ($0.0089) per kwh, about 10% extra per month
Blue Sky Habitat (Oregon only)	Same as Blue Sky Usage and includes support for salmon habitat preservation and restoration in Oregon	Small non-residential (Schedules 23 and 41)	Less than a penny ($0.0089) per kwh and a $2.50 monthly donation to The Nature Conservancy

Large non-residential options

Program Option	Description	Customer Segment	Extra cost
Blue Sky Block	100% new renewable energy from regional wind farms, sold in blocks of 100 kwh	Available to all customer segments	$1.95 per 100 kwh block
Blue Sky Quantity Savings (QS)	Purchase of more than 101 Blue Sky Blocks per month for 12 months (1,212 blocks minimum purchase	Available to large Oregon business (schedules 28, 30, 41L or 48)	Varies: $1.94 to $0.70 per block. The cost is based on a sliding scale. Depending on volume of purchase.

* Rate schedule appears on customer bill.

Program Option

Description

Customer Segment

Extra cost

Blue Sky Block

100% regional wind energy, sold in blocks of 100 kwh

Available to all customer segments

$1.95 per 100 kwh block

Blue Sky Usage (Oregon only)

100% renewable energy – a regional blend of at least 61% wind, up to 38% biomass and 1% solar

Small non-residential (Schedules 23 and 41)

Less than a penny ($0.0089) per kwh, about 10% extra per month

Blue Sky Habitat (Oregon only)

Same as Blue Sky Usage and includes support for salmon habitat preservation and restoration in Oregon

Small non-residential (Schedules 23 and 41)

Less than a penny ($0.0089) per kwh and a $2.50 monthly donation to The Nature Conservancy

Large non-residential options

Program Option

Description

Customer Segment

Extra cost

Blue Sky Block

100% new renewable energy from regional wind farms, sold in blocks of 100 kwh

Available to all customer segments

$1.95 per 100 kwh block

Blue Sky Quantity Savings (QS)

Purchase of more than 101 Blue Sky Blocks per month for 12 months (1,212 blocks minimum purchase

Available to large Oregon business (schedules 28, 30, 41L or 48)

Varies: $1.94 to $0.70 per block. The cost is based on a sliding scale. Depending on volume of purchase.

* Rate schedule appears on customer bill.

How much renewable energy should my business buy?

If your goal is to	You should	Here's how we can help
Spend a certain amount of money on your renewable energy purchase each month	Determine the amount of money you are willing to spend on renewable energy each month. Divide that by $1.95 and that's how many blocks you should buy.	Visit our cost calculator.
Purchase renewable energy equal to 100 percent of your energy use	If you are a small Oregon business (Schedule 23 or 41), simply select Blue Sky Usage or Habitat. Otherwise, find out your average monthly usage of kwhs and divide that by 100. That is how many blocks you should purchase to equal your average monthly use.	Enroll in the Usage or Habitat options or call 1-800-769-3717. Also, please call us if you need help deciding how many blocks to purchase to equal your average monthly use. (you cannot purchase partial blocks)
Earn recognition benefits associated with my purchase	Look at the Pacific Power Blue Sky partner chart below and select the benefit level you'd like. Then, calculate the required purchase. Also, read about the EPA Green Power partnership program below to find out how you can qualify.	We know it can be difficult to navigate kwh requirements and blocks, so give us a call at 1-800-769-3717, and we'll do the work for you.
Spend less than $14 / month, but still receive some recognition	Sign up for seven blocks to become a Blue Sky Supporter (or four if you are a low energy user, using less than 10,000 kwh / month).	It's really that easy – just click enroll and choose seven blocks.
Make a large purchase at a lower rate / block	Participate in the Blue Sky QS which offers volume discounts for any business buying more than 100 blocks per month over a period of 12 months.	Visit our cost calculator.

If your goal is to

You should

Here's how we can help

Spend a certain amount of money on your renewable energy purchase each month

Determine the amount of money you are willing to spend on renewable energy each month. Divide that by $1.95 and that's how many blocks you should buy.

Visit our cost calculator.

Purchase renewable energy equal to 100 percent of your energy use

If you are a small Oregon business (Schedule 23 or 41), simply select Blue Sky Usage or Habitat.

Otherwise, find out your average monthly usage of kwhs and divide that by 100. That is how many blocks you should purchase to equal your average monthly use.

Enroll in the Usage or Habitat options or call 1-800-769-3717.

Also, please call us if you need help deciding how many blocks to purchase to equal your average monthly use. (you cannot purchase partial blocks)

Earn recognition benefits associated with my purchase

Look at the Pacific Power Blue Sky partner chart below and select the benefit level you'd like.

Then, calculate the required purchase. Also, read about the EPA Green Power partnership program below to find out how you can qualify.

We know it can be difficult to navigate kwh requirements and blocks, so give us a call at 1-800-769-3717, and we'll do the work for you.

Spend less than $14 / month, but still receive some recognition

Sign up for seven blocks to become a Blue Sky Supporter (or four if you are a low energy user, using less than 10,000 kwh / month).

It's really that easy – just click enroll and choose seven blocks.

Make a large purchase at a lower rate / block

Participate in the Blue Sky QS which offers volume discounts for any business buying more than 100 blocks per month over a period of 12 months.

Visit our cost calculator.

What are the rewards/incentives for a Blue Sky purchase?

To reward your business for supporting renewable energy through the Blue Sky program, we offer a business partnership program. This program recognizes organizations that commit to a Blue Sky renewable energy purchase that meets or exceeds minimum purchase requirements related to your electricity usage. The business partnership program currently has hundreds of partners who are voluntarily purchasing renewable energy. When joining the Blue Sky business partnership program, you have the flexibility to choose whether your entire organization or a facility within your organization becomes a partner. This flexibility allows you to fine tune your renewable energy purchase. A minimum purchase level and a one-year commitment are required to participate in the business partnership program. More Blue Sky business p artner program»

Where is the renewable energy for the Blue Sky program generated?

Renewable energy associated with the Blue Sky Block program comes from newly developed regional wind sources with preference given to resources within the Pacific Power/Rocky Mountain Power six state service area, but can extend throughout the western region.

Renewable energy associated with the Blue Sky Usage and Habitat options comes from a blend of sources with the majority coming from wind. Other sources may include biomass or geothermal. Preference given to resources within Oregon or the western region of the US, but some of the renewable energy may come from wind farms that are located to the west of the Mississippi River.

To date customers have supported renewable energy generation located in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and Utah. These purchases help increase demand for renewable energy generation.

See the projects that the Blue Sky program has supported »

What if I wanted to encourage my employees or customers to enroll in Blue Sky?

The Blue Sky program has been proud to cultivate many partnerships with businesses and organizations who want to encourage their customers and constituents to choose renewable energy. Every relationship looks different and the possibilities are endless.

If you have any ideas for ways we can work together, please e-mail us.

Are there any other ways to promote my business with Blue Sky?

If you enroll your business in Blue Sky, you can offer coupons to our Blue Sky customers online.

List of participating businesses»

If you’d like to offer promotions or coupons to Blue Sky customers, please e-mail us.

If you enroll your business in Blue Sky, you can offer coupons to our Blue Sky customers online. List of participating businesses» If you’d like to offer promotions or coupons to Blue Sky customers, please e-mail us.

How do I sign up?

Cost related answers

Where does my money go?: In 2008, customer funds for Blue Sky Block program were allocated as follows:

Funds received from participating customers are used to purchase renewable energy credits from regional renewable energy facilities equal to their Blue Sky purchase, to grow the support for renewable energy through customer education and outreach efforts and to cover the costs of offering the program. We are required by regulations to allocate the costs associated with the Blue Sky program to customers who choose to participate, and we don’t make a profit from offering this option to customers. Money from the Blue Sky Block option can also used to create funding awards for renewable energy projects throughout the company's service territory to help advance renewable energy technology. These projects included solar arrays, wind projects, a geothermal demonstration project and wave energy research. Learn more about these projects»
How do I know I’m getting what I pay for?: As a regulated utility our Blue Sky program continues to be overseen by six Public Utility Commissions and is routinely reviewed by the Commission and other interested parties. We also participate in the Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System (WREGIS), an independent tracking system that ensures renewable energy purchased for the program is from qualified sources.

Blue Sky has also achieved Green-e Energy certification from the Center for Resource Solutions.

Learn more about Green-e Energy Certification»
Is my renewable energy purchase tax deductible?: Renewable energy purchases are not tax deductible.

EPA Green Power Program

What is the EPA Green Power Program?: The EPA Green Power Partnership program is a voluntary partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and organizations that buy renewable energy. Through this program, the EPA supports organizations that are buying renewable energy with tools and resources to help them promote their purchase.

The EPA Green Power Partner Program can also offer guidance on making a green power purchase. The renewable energy purchase to qualify as a Green Power Partner depends on the average electricity consumed by your business.

More about EPA Green Power program»
How do we qualify as an EPA Green Power Partner?: By making the minimum purchase required, your business will qualify as a Green Power Partner; there are also higher levels for those who wish to be part of the Green Power Leadership Club.

Learn more or see how much energy your business would have to purchase»

After making a qualifying purchase, you must fill out a Partnership Agreement (PDF) on the EPA Web site.
What is an EPA Green Power Community?: Green Power Communities are cities and towns where the local government, businesses and residents come together to improve the environment by purchasing renewable energy in amounts that meet or exceed the EPA Green Power Community purchase requirements. By making it a priority to reduce greenhouse gas emissions they are increasing their pride and sense of community while enhancing their image. It is up to the local government to start the process by making a minimum Blue Sky renewable energy purchase to become an EPA Green Power Partner. From there, they can initiate a community-wide campaign to encourage local businesses and residents to buy Blue Sky renewable energy. Pacific Power has assisted multiple communities throughout the Western United States to become EPA Green Power Communities.

List of Green Power Communities»

Green-e Energy Certification

What is Green-e Energy?

Green-e Energy^TM was established by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions to provide a simple and objective way for you to quickly identify energy products that meet certain environmental and consumer protection standards.

When you see the Green-e Energy logo, it means:

the renewable energy option contains 100 percent new renewable resources;
the renewable sources of energy supplying the Blue Sky program are independently verified by Green-e Energy, operated by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions;
the purchaser of a Green-e Energy Certified renewable energy certificate is the sole "owner" of the environmental attributes of a specific megawatt hour (MWh) of energy added to the grid. Independent verification ensures that no megawatt-hours are double-counted, and
the company offering the certified renewable energy option agrees to abide by the Green-e Energy Code of Conduct and Customer Disclosure Requirements governing its ethical treatment of customers.

More information on Green-e Energy certification requirements» or call 888.63.GREEN.

the renewable energy option contains 100 percent new renewable resources;

the renewable sources of energy supplying the Blue Sky program are independently verified by Green-e Energy, operated by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions;

the purchaser of a Green-e Energy Certified renewable energy certificate is the sole "owner" of the environmental attributes of a specific megawatt hour (MWh) of energy added to the grid. Independent verification ensures that no megawatt-hours are double-counted, and

the company offering the certified renewable energy option agrees to abide by the Green-e Energy Code of Conduct and Customer Disclosure Requirements governing its ethical treatment of customers.

More information on Green-e Energy certification requirements» or call 888.63.GREEN.

Is the Blue Sky program Green-e Energy certified?

Yes! Green-e Energy is the nation's leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Green-e Energy offers certification and verification of renewable energy and greenhouse gas mitigation products. It is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions.

Learn more about Green-e certification»

Why is Green-e Energy certification great for businesses and organizations?

Green–e Energy certification also means that businesses participating in the Blue Sky program can take advantage not only of our Blue Sky business partner program and partner logo but also participate in the Green-e Marketplace – a program that lets your company display the Green-e Energy logo once you’ve purchased a qualifying amount of renewable energy in relation to your electricity usage. The Green-e Energy logo is the national symbol for renewable energy excellence and can be displayed on consumer products, in connection with services, offices or retail locations.

How can my business qualify to use the Green-e Marketplace logo?

Businesses and organizations participating in our Blue Sky program that wish to use the Green-e logo must:

Purchase a qualifying amount of renewable energy
Meet all of the requirements outlined in the Green-e logo Energy use agreement – sign and submit the agreements to Center for Resource Solutions
Annually attest that your organization has met the renewable energy minimum purchase commitment
Pay an annual licensing fee established by Green-e

Green-e Marketplace staff will work with your business to effectively promote your outstanding environmental commitment through use of the nationally recognized symbol for renewable energy excellence. Green-e Marketplace Certified companies cross a wide range of industry sectors including manufacturing, banking and finance, organic foods, retail and business services. Companies choose to display the logo on annual reports, displays, marketing collateral, select product packaging and corporate Web sites to promote their renewable energy use.

Access Green-e Marketplace requirements and documents»

Businesses and organizations participating in our Blue Sky program that wish to use the Green-e logo must:

Purchase a qualifying amount of renewable energy

Meet all of the requirements outlined in the Green-e logo Energy use agreement – sign and submit the agreements to Center for Resource Solutions

Annually attest that your organization has met the renewable energy minimum purchase commitment

Pay an annual licensing fee established by Green-e

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

What is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and will my purchase help my building get LEED certified?: Yes, it can. LEED is a Green Building rating system. It is a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Buying renewable energy can provide your building with a LEED “credit” helping to achieve the LEED green building standard. Projects are awarded Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum certification depending on the number of credits they achieve.

More information about LEED»

Quick facts about renewable energy

If I choose a renewable power option, will I actually receive electricity generated from renewable energy generation sources?

Because of the way the power system works, electricity from a specific facility or source does not flow directly to a specific customer. However, we guarantee that renewable energy in the exact amount you sign up to buy through Blue Sky is purchased on your behalf from newly developed facilities in the western United States. This creates measurable environmental benefits and hastens renewable energy development. These purchases of renewable energy credits are in addition to the renewable energy Pacific Power already generates or purchases on behalf of all customers.

What is a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) or “green tag”?

Renewable energy certificates (RECs), also known as “green tags,” are proof that 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable energy was generated and delivered to the regional power pool, and they represent the environmental attributes of the power produced from renewable energy projects. RECs are sold separately from the electricity commodity.

For every unit of renewable energy generated and delivered to the regional power pool, an equivalent amount of renewable energy certificates (RECs) are created representing a tracking mechanism to insure that no two customers pay for the same unit of renewable energy generation. When you sign up for Blue Sky, Pacific Power contracts for RECs to match the equivalent of your ongoing electrical needs or the number of Blue Sky blocks you elect to purchase. Thus, the more RECs that are sold, the more demand is created for renewable power. As renewable facilities sell out their RECs, demand shifts to bring more renewable energy sources on-line.

New renewable energy sources are being constructed across the United States to meet the demand created for renewable energy. Your purchase of RECs benefits the environment by encouraging greater renewable energy generation and displacing non-renewable generation from the electricity system.

Will the power to my business be dependent upon the wind blowing?

No. Your power will continue to be uninterrupted even when the wind isn’t blowing, because you are connected to the regional electricity system. The power that travels through the network of lines and wires that bring electricity to your home or business comes from a variety of generating sources.

What is Pacific Power doing to bring more renewable energy to the region?

In addition to Blue Sky customer purchases, Pacific Power is actively increasing our cost-effective renewable energy generation portfolio. Pacific Power’s goal is to increase our renewable energy generation portfolio to 2,000 megawatts of new renewable resource by 2013. That’s enough energy to power more than 550,000 homes! We offer you a choice to participate in the Blue Sky program because by teaming up we can do even more.

Information about Pacific Power's environmental commitment»

Where can I find more information on renewable energy options and renewable energy generation?