SMITHBATES INKS NEW GREEN POWER COMMITMENT WITH BLUE SKY
Posted: March 12th, 2010 9:31 AM
Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power March 12, 2010
503-813-7291
SmithBates inks new green power commitment with Blue Sky
Long-standing commercial printer reduces carbon footprint and provides industry leadership with sustainable practices
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – SmithBates Printing and Design, an innovative commercial printing company in Klamath Falls, has been embracing new technology and change since its inception more than 80 years ago. The company's strong commitment to sustainability has taken a new direction with an expanded commitment to Pacific Power's Blue Sky program renewable energy program.
SmithBates, which in 2007 moved into a new energy efficient plant, had been purchasing 2,900 kilowatt hours per month (about 10 percent of its total usage) from the award-winning Blue Sky renewable energy program since March 2009. Today, they have increased their participation by becoming a Visionary Partner in the program and purchasing the equivalent of 7,300 kilowatt hours per month (or 30 percent) of their power from renewable energy sources.
"All of us here at SmithBates have undertaken a commitment to sustainability and to reducing our carbon footprint," said vice president Ann Cavanaugh. "Blue Sky has fit in perfectly with this commitment and we are proud to be expanding our participation in the program and leading the way with renewable energy."
The Blue Sky purchase has tangible environmental benefits. Over the course of a year, the commitment avoids putting 106,726 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and has the environmental equivalent of not driving 108,514 miles.
Blue Sky renewable energy comes from new wind projects. These facilities help offset emissions from traditional generation sources and stimulate even more investment in new renewable generation facilities.
"Leading by example is the best possible way to encourage support for renewable energy," said Pat Egan, Pacific Power vice president of customer and community affairs. "Blue Sky provides an easy, accessible way for customers to make a difference. We also think Blue Sky is good for business, because customers are starting to request or choose to spend their dollars with businesses that are using sustainable practices, and particularly renewable energy, like Blue Sky."
In addition to its Blue Sky commitment, SmithBates is also a printing industry leader in sustainable practices. In February 2008, the firm became the first independent privately owned printing company in Southern Oregon to receive Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.
"For our clients this means that we guarantee we are using paper from trees grown in responsibly managed forests," said Cavanaugh. "Additionally, we were nominated for a Green Pelican Award from the City of Klamath Falls for our sustainable practices and we are currently working with the Energy Trust of Oregon to upgrade our lighting systems to be more energy efficient." The company's environmental stewardship position can be found online at www.smithbates.com/sustainability.
The Blue Sky program provides Pacific Power customers with an easy way to support renewable energy development in the region and offset the impact of their electricity usage. When customers enroll in Blue Sky, Pacific Power purchases renewable energy credits from renewable energy facilities. This guarantees that electricity from these renewable resources is delivered into the regional power pool and helps drive more new renewable energy development. Electricity produced by renewable energy facilities helps offset electricity generated from other, nonrenewable sources, creating measurable environmental benefits.
Customers have a range of options when it comes to buying Blue Sky renewable energy: Blue Sky Block, Usage or Habitat. Whichever option they choose, Blue Sky allows customers to offset emissions from energy usage by supporting renewable resources for as little as $1.95 per month. Participation in any of these plans is optional, and customers can change their level of participation or withdraw at any time. Pacific Power customers who want to learn more about which option is best for them may call Pacific Power at 800-769-3717 or visit www.pacificpower.net/bluesky.
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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 pacificpower.net.
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