CITY OF PORTLAND CHALLENGING RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES TO GET GREENER IN NATION'S LARGEST GREEN POWER CHALLENGE
Posted: July 28th, 2010 11:06 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2010
City of Portland challenging residents, businesses to get greener in nation's largest green power challenge
City, PGE, and Pacific Power join to generate 1,000 renewable power sign-ups
PORTLAND, Ore. — Mayor Sam Adams and the Portland City Council are challenging citizens to support more environmentally sustainable renewable power. At the July 28 city council meeting, Mayor Adams and the City Council unanimously proclaimed the City's first Green Power Challenge, which will be the nation's largest challenge to encourage participation in voluntary renewable energy programs.
"I'm incredibly proud that Portland is a city where sustainability is as much a priority for our utilities as it is for our households," said Mayor Adams. "Having customers and companies support renewable energy delivers very real benefits for our community, from the quality of our environment to the strength of our economy. Portland, and Oregon, win when we take the Green Power Challenge."
The two-month Green Power Challenge, available to all Pacific Power and Portland General Electric customers in Portland — business and residential — begins Aug. 1, 2010 and concludes Sept 30, 2010. The goal is to generate a total of 1,000 sign-ups in Pacific Power and PGE's renewable programs, solidifying Portland's primacy as the nation's leader in clean energy. This is the first time Oregon's two largest utilities are partnering to sponsor a Green Power Challenge, although both have been part of successful challenges throughout the state.
PGE's Green Power Program and Pacific Power's Blue Sky program are consistently ranked among the top five renewable energy programs in the nation and in 2009, ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
As a leader, the city of Portland has already shown its commitment to renewable energy. The city currently purchases more than 2.6 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually, which equals nearly 2 percent of Portland's annual electricity usage for its city facilities.
This purchase is enough power to offset approximately 2.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in one year, which is equivalent to not driving 2.7 million miles. CO2 is a major contributor of global warming.
"Portland was green before it was fashionable and is a national leader for sustainable practices," said Carol Dillin, PGE's vice president of customers and economic development. "Partnering with the city of Portland and Pacific Power on the nation's largest green power challenge takes us one step further down the road to a cleaner energy future for Oregon."
There are more than 74,000 PGE customers participating in its renewable power programs.
"Portland is already synonymous with renewable energy and sustainability and this challenge will further solidify that reputation by showing action," said Pat Egan, Pacific Power's vice president of customer and community affairs. "Here we have two utilities working together with the city to increase the number of residential and business customers in Portland who support renewable energy and to make this a challenge that really sets the bar nationally as we reap the green benefits."
More than 39,000 customers in the Northwest are part of Pacific Power's Blue Sky renewable program, with 71,000 participants throughout the company's six-state service area.
Pacific Power and PGE will promote this renewable energy challenge in Portland through various grassroots efforts and events, including neighborhood canvassing and a station at the Portland Farmer's Markets. The utilities also will have representatives at Portland retail stores and various local events to help get the word out about the challenge and how it dovetails with the region's sustainability goals. Portland Residents and businesses can learn more about the challenge and how to sign up at PortlandOnline.com/PortlandChallenge.
Sustainability is one of the Mayor Adams' top priorities. In October 2009, the City Council adopted the City of Portland/Multnomah County 2009 Climate Action Plan, which is a comprehensive plan to reduce local emissions of greenhouse gases 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050. The city also has received the 2009 GoGreen Green Giant Award as a Blue Sky Visionary Partner greening the Portland Street Car.
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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 almost 730,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California.
About PGE: PGE, headquartered in Portland, is a fully integrated electric utility that serves more than 817,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oregon. Visit PGE on the web at www.PortlandGeneral.com.
* Customers will not have electricity from a specific generation facility delivered directly to their house or business.
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