Forecast newsletter

In November 2021, Yakima Housing Authority celebrated the opening and dedication of its Chuck Austin Place, a supportive housing community to help veterans transition out of homelessness. Thanks to a $156,623 grant funded by Blue Sky Block participants, a new solar array will supply more than 63% of its yearly electricity needs and help save on operating costs.

Located on the site of a former Marine Corps Armory, the new 41-unit affordable housing development and services center for veterans includes amenities such as laundry rooms, raised garden beds, a memorial wall, a gym, community meeting space, a library and a dog park. The facility also includes a health clinic run by Yakima Neighborhood Health Services.

Our long-term plan to serve customers continues to build an energy future that’s reliable, clean and affordable. By 2040, we’ll have added over 12,000 megawatts of renewable resources, which is enough to power 3.6 million homes.

The comprehensive plan is enabled through a modern, expansive transmission network that creates greater opportunities for our communities to thrive. Learn more at pacificpower.net/netzero.

Many of our customers are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint through clean energy sources like solar and wind. Blue Sky provides an easy and impactful way to reduce their carbon footprints and driving demand for new renewable energy in the West and creating local jobs and supporting community-based renewable energy projects. In 2021 more than 148,000 Blue Sky participants collectively supported 1,339,938 megawatt-hours of renewable energy, reducing their combined carbon footprints by 934,800 tons of CO2e.

Ways you can help support a healthier environment:

●        Go paperless with your bill

●        Upgrade your home’s energy efficiency with help from our Wattsmart programs

●        Find resources to help you drive electric

●        Sign up for a Time of Use pricing plan (plans vary by state)

The city of College Place, Washington, will have its first solar array installed by this fall thanks in part to a $100,000 grant funded by Pacific Power Blue Sky Block participants. 

Approved in February by the City Council, the project marks the beginning of the College Place’s use of solar energy. The 111.5 kilowatt solar array will be positioned near the East Side Water Booster Tanks that provide water for some residents. The city should start seeing savings from the solar array after only a year of operation.

Thanks to Blue Sky participants for supporting College Place as they lead the way to a brighter future. 

St. Andrew Nativity School is a tuition-free Catholic middle school in Northeast Portland that makes Catholic education possible for families with a lower income. The idea for solar panels on the roof of their community center began with students who learned about sustainable energy in science class. The school had already installed LED lights and a new energy-efficient HVAC system, but they knew solar power would complete their vision for energy efficiency.

With the support of funding from Blue Sky Block participants, those solar panels on the community center roof became a reality in December! 

Students and staff now enjoy monitoring the impact of their new solar panels in real time, including power generated and CO2 emissions saved, via the website linked below.

Thanks to a recent Blue Sky enrollment initiative, Pacific Power has made a $4,050 donation to Unite Oregon on behalf of Blue Sky participants. Unite Oregon is a nonprofit that works across the state to build a unified intercultural movement for justice, and climate justice is one of their focus areas. This donation will support the organization’s effort to launch a climate resilience hub.

The project will transform Unite Oregon’s 2,200 square foot headquarters and 8,000 square foot parking lot in East Portland into an accessible hub where impacted communities can have multiple needs met at once. The hub will include a workforce training center, small business incubator, child care center, and an emergency navigation and community resource distribution center. The building will also demonstrate climate resiliency through rainwater collection, solar panels, recycling, and composting.

For more information on Unite Oregon’s programs and initiatives, visit 

https://www.uniteoregon.org/climate-hub

For several years, Blue Sky participants have enjoyed complimentary access to coupons from local businesses through the Chinook Book app. However, due to insurmountable business challenges stemming from two years of COVID, Chinook Book has ceased operations. As of April 20, 2022, Chinook Book’s app and associated coupons will no longer be available to participants. We are sad to say goodbye to Chinook Book after many years of partnership with Blue Sky.

For current app users, Chinook Book has arranged for you to receive a free, one year subscription to Passport Unlimited*, a rewards platform that features discounts on dining, local retail, and online shopping. This offer is valid until 7/11/22. If you wish to redeem this offer, follow these steps after reviewing Passport Unlimited’s offer details and terms of service:

●        Go to: passportcorporate.com/Account/SignUp

●        Enter code: CHINOOK

●        Complete the registration form

●        Download the “Passport Mobile” app

●        Login with your mobile card number (emailed to you once you register) and email address

If you have not already accessed your Chinook Book benefit for 2022, please note the Chinook Book activation code is no longer functional and the Passport Unlimited offer will not apply.

Nothing else about your Blue Sky participation is impacted by this change and your participation will still support clean, renewable energy in our local region. Thank you for being part of the Blue Sky community!

*Note that Pacific Power has not vetted and is not affiliated with Passport Unlimited.