News Release from: Pacific Power
ASANTE'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH LEADERSHIP LINKED TO RENEWABLE ENERGY
Posted: November 13th, 2012 10:19 AM
Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
503-813-7291 Nov. 13, 2012
Asante's environmental health leadership linked to renewable energy
Southern Oregon's leading health care provider also dedicated to energy-efficient design and Blue Sky renewable program
MEDFORD, Ore.- Asante's prescription for sustaining community health in southern Oregon and northern California begins with providing top-notch care, but it also includes a healthy dose of energy-efficient building design and a strong commitment to renewable energy through Pacific Power's Blue Sky program.
"It takes leadership and vision to improve our communities," said Justin Hurley, director of real estate and sustainable development for Asante. "Blue Sky is leading the way to a better, renewable energy future, and Asante is leading the way to a better healthcare future by creating healing, healthful places for people to receive care."
That leadership includes Asante as a Blue Sky Visionary level partner, supporting nearly 3 million kilowatt hours of western region wind energy over the course of a year. That matches the total electricity usage of the entire Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, an Asante Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic, and the Asante Finance and Business office. Asante's commitment brings real environmental benefits.
The renewable energy Asante supports is equivalent to avoiding 3.7 million pounds of carbon emissions, or taking 323 cars off the road for a year.
"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 like Asante 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."
A leader in energy-efficient design
Another key leadership area for Asante is a dedication to energy-efficient design. As the organization expands, energy efficiency is top of mind. A recent example is the new clinic recently opened in Grants Pass.
"We went through an exhaustive project planning process with staff, physicians, architects, engineers and designers," Hurley said of the development process for the clinic. "And we included the people who would be both working and receiving care in these spaces. That is how we develop every project."
From high-efficiency heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing, to building materials and landscaping, Asante projects are green-built and designed to promote healing. For example, nearly all interiors of the building are bathed in natural light thanks to smart layout of windows and skylights.
"Asante is the number one provider of hospital and outpatient care in the region," Hurley said "We are also the largest non-seasonal employer. That is why we believe we have a great responsibility to be a community leader in healthy living, and that includes environmental design. And, our commitment to Blue Sky is contributing to the health of the communities we serve and beyond."
Asante is one of more than 100 southern Oregon businesses of all sizes supporting renewable energy through Blue Sky. More than 4,500 residential customers in southern Oregon also support Blue Sky.
Blue Sky provides Pacific Power customers a way to personally support regional wind-powered generation and other renewable energy sources. The substantial voluntary support for renewable energy through Blue Sky helps stimulate even more investment in additional new renewable generation facilities.
Enrollment in Blue Sky is voluntary and customers can alter their participation level at any time. Customers can sign up for Blue Sky by calling Pacific Power at 800-769-3717 or by visiting www.pacificpower.net/bluesky.
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About Asante
Asante is a local, community-owned and governed, not-for-profit organization that provides comprehensive medical care to more than 550,000 people in a nine-county area of Southern Oregon and Northern California. It includes Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Asante Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass, Asante Physician Partners, and additional healthcare partnerships throughout the region. Learn more at asante.org.
About Blue Sky
Pacific Power's Blue Sky renewable energy program is a simple and convenient way for customers 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 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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