OREGON HEAT READY TO PROVIDE WARMTH FOR RESIDENTS IN NEED
Posted: November 14th, 2011 8:08 AM
Media Contact:
Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power Nov. 14, 2011
503-813-7291 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Roger Rees, Oregon HEAT
503-612-3790
Oregon HEAT ready to provide warmth for residents in need
Pacific Power encourages customers to help neighbors by donating via special envelopes accompanying electric bills
TUALATIN, Ore. - Oregon HEAT is now in its second decade of helping the state's most vulnerable residents meet their energy needs. Pacific Power, which has been an Oregon HEAT partner since 1993, is urging customers who can afford it to donate to Oregon HEAT to help their neighbors who right now may be having trouble staying current with their energy bills.
"With neighbors throughout the Northwest, we know there's even more pressure on our customers as unemployment remains high in many of the communities we serve," said Pat Reiten, president and chief executive officer of Pacific Power. "Our at-risk customers are going to need more help from their local community agencies than ever before, and we're proud to help lead that effort."
Pacific Power customers will start seeing blue-bordered Oregon HEAT envelopes with their November bills. These donations go directly to Oregon HEAT, the nonprofit agency that administers funds in Oregon. Last year, more than $117,000 in donations came in from customers and Pacific Power employees and retirees. In addition, the company donated almost $282,000 from shareholder funds.
In the 12-month period ending June 30, 2011 Oregon HEAT helped pay energy bills for more than 2,700 households in Oregon communities served by Pacific Power. That need is expected to be at least as great this year, according to recent national surveys.
"These are tough times in Oregon with the unemployment rate close to 10 percent for more than a year, and the poverty rate exceeding 12 percent this past year," said Roger Rees, executive director of Oregon HEAT,. "Pacific Power is committed to helping low-income Oregonians pull through this difficult period, and the generous donations for emergency energy assistance from Pacific Power's employees, shareholders and customers are a giant step in this direction."
He further added, "This kind of support from businesses like Pacific Power is the backbone of Oregon's recovery as we all work together to help desperate families in crisis."
Local agencies began taking applications and releasing Oregon HEAT funds in October. For a list of local agencies go to: http://www.oregonheat.org/energy-assistance/
Contributions to Oregon HEAT are tax deductible and can be made by using donation envelopes included with November Pacific Power electric bills, by phone at 503-612-3790 or online at www.oregonheat.org. Credit cards can be used for online and phone donations. Pacific Power will make additional mailings in February and June of 2012. For more information, go to: http://www.pacificpower.net/
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About Oregon HEAT
Oregon HEAT is an independent nonprofit organization founded in 1989 to help low-income Oregonians become more energy self-reliant. In partnership with community agencies throughout the state, Oregon HEAT provides energy assistance and advocates access to energy resources for low-income Oregonians. Oregon HEAT's primary program objective is to prevent disconnection of utility service by providing bill payment assistance to low-income households in emergency situations. To donate to, or learn more about Oregon HEAT visit www.oregonheat.org, call 503-612-3790; or write to Oregon HEAT, P.O. Box 127, Tualatin, Ore. 97062.
About Pacific Power
Pacific Power provides electric service to more than 730,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. Our goal is to provide our customers with value for their energy dollar, and safe, reliable electricity. 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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