News Release from: Pacific Power
WALLA WALLA FAIR & FRONTIER DAYS GOES GREEN WITH BLUE SKY
Posted: August 27th, 2012 1:32 PM
Contact:
Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power
503-813-7291
Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days goes green with Blue Sky
Pacific Power renewable energy program helps fair meet its sustainability goal
WALLA WALLA, Wash. - For the eighth consecutive year, Pacific Power is celebrating Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days by helping keep the festivities green with Blue Sky renewable energy. The 146th edition of the fair will run Aug. 29 through Sept. 2 at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds.
Pacific Power's Blue Sky customers help make the festival more eco-friendly by supporting renewable energy from western region wind farms equivalent to the energy being used to power the event. This year that amounts to 750 blocks (75,000 kilowatt-hours) of Blue Sky or the equivalent needed to power about 55 typical Washington homes for an entire month.
"Sustainability, whether it concerns harvests or daily energy use, is a key theme for any agricultural fair. The more we can promote the use and development of renewable energy, the better it will be for the environment and the local economy," said Cory Hewitt, manager of the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds. "We're very pleased to have Pacific Power helping our fair - and our community - to be greener."
There are significant benefits to green energy use. For example, the wind energy supported for the fair has zero carbon emissions and provides one-time environmental benefits equivalent to avoiding carbon dioxide emissions of 93,641 pounds - which has the same benefit as not driving nearly 95,000 miles.
"Besides benefiting the environment, renewable power, such as wind, is a growing part of the energy industry that benefits our local community," said Bill Clemens, regional community manager for Pacific Power and fair board member.
Pacific Power generates renewable power for its customers from its Marengo I and II wind projects just east of Walla Walla. Blue Sky is another way customers can help encourage even more wind generation in the western region. Enrollment in the program is purely voluntary, and customers can increase their participation or withdraw at any time. Nearly 800 Walla Walla-area Pacific Power customers already choose Blue Sky.
Here is how it works: When customers enroll in Blue Sky, Pacific Power purchases renewable energy certificates from western region renewable energy sources equal to the total level of customer Blue Sky commitment. This guarantees that electricity from these renewable resources is delivered into the regional power pool and helps drive more new renewable energy development in the region. Electricity produced by renewable energy reduces the need for electricity generated from other, nonrenewable sources.
Blue Sky allows customers to support renewable energy resources in addition to the renewable energy Pacific Power directly generates and purchases for all customers. It provides customers a simple and convenient way to stimulate commercial development of renewable energy in the region and support the construction of smaller community-based renewable energy projects that can include that can include wind, solar, geothermal, low-emission biomass or other certified renewable energy sources or for as little as an additional $1.95 per month.
Locally, Blue Sky helped fund the following projects:
* Whitman College, a 21 kilowatt solar array located on the roof of the Bratton Tennis Center.
* Walla Walla Community College - two solar projects - one complete - a 75 kw rooftop solar array on the on the William A. Grant Water and Environmental Center which serves as an educational tool for the teachers, students and other community members; and a second project - installed in 2009; and a larger solar project slated for completion this year at the applied technology training center.
Pacific Power customers can learn more about the program by calling Pacific Power at 800-769-3717 or visiting www.pacificpower.net/bluesky.
In addition to the fair, Pacific Power proudly recognizes these other Walla Walla businesses support of renewable energy through Blue Sky and participate in the Blue Sky business partner program:
Cayuse Vineyards
City of Walla Walla
Clark Law Office
Coffee Perk
Earthlight Books
Falkenberg's Jewelers
Fort Walla Walla Cellars
Fort Walla Walla Museum
Hot Poop
Inland Octopus
Ruben's Auto Service
Staples
Valley Vision Clinic
Vivio Technologies
WA State Employment Security Department
Walla Walla Roastery LLC
Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce
Whitman College
William A. Grant Water and Environmental Center at Walla Walla Community College
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About Blue Sky
Pacific Power's Blue Sky renewable energy program is a simple and convenient way to support renewable energy each month. Participation helps stimulate commercial development in renewable energy and may include investment in new community based renewable energy projects. With more than 80,000 customers participating, Blue Sky is currently ranked second in the nation by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the number of customers buying renewable power, and third in the nation for renewable power sales volume. The program is also Green-e Energy certified and supports renewable resources beyond what Pacific Power generates and purchases for all its customers. To learn more about Blue Sky or to sign up, visit www.pacificpower.net/bluesky or call 1-800-769-3717.
About Pacific Power
Pacific Power provides electric service to more than 733,000 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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