PHILOMATH SHINES AS NATION'S NEWEST GREEN POWER COMMUNITY
Posted: February 4th, 2010 1:39 PM
Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power, Feb. 4, 2010
503-813-7291
Philomath shines as nation's newest Green Power Community
Historic town steps into elite group of renewable energy innovators
PHILOMATH, Ore. – Philomath, which began in 1867 as a beacon of learning in the Wild West, is pioneering a new era of enlightenment as the nation's newest Green Power Community. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is recognizing Philomath for its leadership, achievement and dedicated support of renewable energy.
"We are honored to be a part of this great program," said Mayor Ken Schaudt, who will receive special street signs from the EPA marking the city's recognition. "Our citizens have truly demonstrated their devotion to a more sustainable energy future. Philomath has received its share of awards over the years, but this one can be a treasure for generations to come."
Philomath is the newest of only 27 Green Power Communities nationwide. Nearly 10 percent of the community's residents and businesses are supporting renewable energy through Blue Sky, the award-winning Pacific Power program. The 1.6 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy purchased annually by the Philomath community is enough to supply all the electricity to about 125 average homes for a year. Of the 27 Green Power Communities nationwide, nine of those are Pacific Power communities in Oregon.
Usually, a town becomes a Green Power Community from a months-long challenge where customers are encouraged to support renewable power. But Philomath achieved this level through small, consistent increases in customer participation.
"The support was present from the beginning," said Doris Johnston, Pacific Power's regional community manager. "What really tipped the scales was the city of Philomath stepping up to purchase 10 percent of its power through Blue Sky."
Overall, Philomath-area customers are purchasing renewable power equal to the output of one turbine at the average commercial-scale wind farm. That offsets 949 tons of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to not driving more than 1.9 million miles.
Pacific Power customers can keep adding to the success in Philomath by greening their own homes and businesses. Buying just one, 100-kilowatt hour block of Blue Sky power costs only $1.95 per month. Blue Sky is recognized nationally as one of the most affordable renewable energy programs. Customers can buy as many blocks as they wish. Large business customers can buy renewable power in bulk at a discount through the Blue Sky QS program.
Enrollment in Blue Sky is optional and customers can increase their participation or withdraw at any time. Customers can sign up for Blue Sky renewable power by calling Pacific Power at 800-769-3717 or by visiting www.pacificpower.net/bluesky.
Blue Sky Business Partners in Philomath include:
The City of Philomath
Integrated Resource Management
Phoenix Counseling
W.E.T. Labs, Inc
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 sixth consecutive year in the number of customers buying renewable power and for renewable power sales volume. Blue Sky was named national 2007 Green Power Program of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. 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 39,000 customers in the Northwest are part of Blue Sky.
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 more than 724,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. Our goal is to provide our customers with value for their energy dollar, and safe, reliable electricity, for another 100 years. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 1.7 million customers in six western states. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net.
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