forecast - Pacific Power

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forecast
renewable energy update
spring 2012
This issue
Blue SkySM customers help
fund more community-based
renewable energy projects
SM
n Blue Sky has Green-e
Energy stamp of approval
n
Inspiring sustainability
throughout the region
n How to restore a river
n
Port of Portland completes
solar project
n Celebrate Earth Day
n
volume 13
n
issue 1
Your support is making
an impact!
For more than a decade, customers just like you
have been making a huge difference with renewable
energy. Since 2000, Blue SkySM customers have
supported a total of more than 3.6 billion kilowatthours of renewable energy. This is equal to the
output of 785 utility-scale wind turbines for one year!
See the difference that Blue Sky customers
made in 2011 alone!
n
Offshore wind gets $180
million boost from DOE
n
Are you a Blue Sky
business partner?
Businesses that support
Blue Sky at a partnership
level have various benefits.
Depending on your average
monthly electricity usage and
renewable power purchase
commitment, we can recognize
your business through press
announcements and identify
your business in our Blue Sky
promotional materials, which
may include paid advertising.
Pacific Power also works with
you to help you communicate
your renewable energy
support to your customers.
One way we do that is
through a newly designed
business partner logo that you
can display on your company’s
website. Just email bluesky@
pacificorp.com to request
the logo. Find out more at
pacificpower.net/blueskybiz.
A huge thank you to our new
Blue Sky business partners:
Oregon
Bend
• Broken Top Bottle Shop & Ale Café
• Cuppa Yo Frozen Yogurt
• Denfeld Paints
• Jem Raw Chocolate, LLC
• Jinsei Spa
• Kirby Nagelhout
Construction Company
• Longboard Louie’s
• Los Jalapeños
• Old Stone Church
• Pine Ridge Inn
(continued on next page)
Blue Sky customers help
fund more community-based
renewable energy projects
Every year Pacific Power teams up with Blue Sky
Block customers to help bring renewable energy
projects to local communities. These projects
provide a number of local economic benefits and
help educate the community about renewable
energy. The following projects were selected last
year to receive Blue Sky funds in 2012:
Jason Lee Elementary School in Portland,
Oregon, will receive funding toward the installation
of a 1.6-kilowatt solar array. The project will be
incorporated into the school curriculum through the
comprehensive Solar 4R Schools education program.
The City of Corvallis Firehouse No. 1 will
receive support for the installation of a 25-kilowatt
solar array covering a dual-purposed carport for fire
department vehicles.
The City of Roseburg Public Safety Center
is set to receive funding for the installation of a
40.17-kilowatt solar array atop the newly constructed
building in downtown Roseburg.
Joyce Morgan Food Bank in Roseburg, Oregon,
will receive funding toward a 37.44-kilowatt roofmounted solar installation.
Rogue Valley International Airport in
Medford, Oregon, has been chosen to receive
funding for a 15-kilowatt solar canopy structure
that will be installed above three toll booths at the
airport’s parking lots.
Wallowa County Integrated Biomass
Energy Center in Enterprise, Oregon, is set to
receive funding support for the construction of a
100-kilowatt woody biomass combined heat and
power facility. This project is part of a natural
resource-based economic development plan in
Wallowa County that will create a market for
woody biomass in a county that has traditionally
depended on the timber industry.
The City of Pendleton Wastewater
Treatment Facility is slated to receive community
project funds to help install a 130-kilowatt
cogeneration facility. The facility will produce
methane gas from waste streams and use it to
generate electricity and heat energy.
Walla Walla Community College will
receive support to cover a newly constructed carport
structure with a 28-kilowatt solar array. The solar
installation will provide power to several electric
vehicle charging stations.
Learn more about Blue Sky Community
Projects.
Blue Sky has Green-e Energy
stamp of approval
What does it mean when we
say the Blue Sky renewable
energy program is Green-e
Energy Certified? It means the energy supported by
Blue Sky customers meets the most stringent and
widely-used standards for a voluntary green power
program. Green-e has been certifying renewable
energy for more than 10 years, performing extensive
audits to ensure that customers like you receive
the highest level of environmental and consumer
protection.
The Green-e Energy Certified label guarantees
customers that every megawatt-hour of energy they
support:
can only be claimed by you and was not
double counted to meet state renewable
energy mandates;
• comes from qualified renewable resources like
wind, solar, geothermal, certain low-emission
biomass and certified low-impact hydro; and
• is contributing to the development of new
renewable energy sources.
•
In fact, many of the Blue Sky program’s
current guidelines exceed Green-e Energy standards.
Green-e Energy certification, the nation’s leading
voluntary certification program for renewable energy,
is offered by the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS).
CRS is an independent, nonprofit organization that
works to create consumer-protection and other
policies to advance sustainable energy.
The Green-e Energy program performs annual
audits to verify that Pacific Power has been accurate
and open with customers in our communication
about the program and that every megawatt-hour of
green power customers support is the high quality
renewable energy product for which they signed up.
This process strengthens the relationship
between Blue Sky customers and Pacific Power and
ensures that Blue Sky customers are making a real
difference with renewable energy.
To learn more about Green-e Energy certification
visit Blue Sky FAQ’s or www.green-e.org.
Cottage Grove
• Big Stuff Barbecue
• Cottage Grove
Community Acupuncture
• Hungry Bunny
• Kaleidoscope Cottage
• Penfold’s Beads and Things
• Rally Coffee Company
Enterprise
• Fishtrap, Inc.
• Wallowa Resources
Medford
• Jackson County Airport Authority
Redmond
• Denfeld Paints
• Paulina Springs Books
• Phat Matt’s Brewing Company
Roseburg
• City of Roseburg
• Umpqua Village, LLC
For the complete list, please
visit pacificpower.net/partners.
Feedback wanted!
Are you a Blue Sky business
customer but aren’t receiving
any partnership benefits?
You may just need to sign a
form or change your purchase
level to qualify. Learn more
about Business Partner
program benefits here or email
bluesky@pacificorp.com to
find out.
New Blue Sky yard signs
are available!
I support
renewable
energy
pacificpower.net/bluesky
Let your neighbors know that
you support Blue Sky. Request
your yard sign.
Sign up for paperless billing
Pacific Power’s paperless billing
option allows you to save time
and conserve resources by
receiving email notices instead
of paper bill statements. Sign up
to go paperless and receive your
Forecast newsletter and annual
report letter in your email inbox!
Visit pacificpower.net/
paperless.
Find us on Facebook
Stay connected with the
latest Blue Sky news and
information by visiting
our Facebook page. You can
join more than 900 fans of
Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program
by “liking” our page today.
Contact us
Do you have any comments,
concerns, questions or
suggestions about the
Blue Sky program? Email
bluesky@pacificorp.com
and we can help!
Blue Sky Business Partner Spotlight
Inspiring sustainability
throughout the region
Walla Walla Community College built The William
A. Grant Water & Environmental Center (WEC) as
a place to find local solutions to issues involving
the Walla Walla Watershed. Shortly after the WEC
opened in the fall 2007, it was clear that watershed
management was linked to a broader practice of
sustainability.
Jim Peterson, director of the Walla Walla
Community College – WEC, explained, “The Water
and Environmental Center quickly became a water,
environmental, energy and sustainability center.
Having the WEC on campus has been instrumental
in changing the campus culture around the
environment and energy.”
From rooftop solar panels to their popular
“Go Green” club, the WEC’s sustainable practices
serve as a model and an inspiration throughout
the region. In 2009, the WEC bolstered its status
as a leader in sustainability by enrolling in the
Blue Sky program. As a Visionary Business Partner,
the highest level of support for a Blue Sky business,
the WEC supports 60,000 kilowatt-hours of
renewable energy annually. This is equivalent to
avoiding 71,902 pounds of CO2 – which is equal to
planting 845 trees or not driving 73,000 miles every
year. The WEC also used its participation in the
Blue Sky program to attain Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
Peterson sees participation in the Blue Sky
program as one of the many partnerships fostered by
the WEC’s focus on collaboration. The WEC plans
to continue expanding its renewable energy efforts
and community partnerships. The center hopes to
one day construct a park where the community can
interact with renewable energy technologies.
View the complete list of Pacific Power
Blue Sky Business Partners.
Blue Sky Habitat
How to restore a river
You often hear about restoring a river to improve
native fish habitat. In fact, many of you in Oregon
fund river restoration through the Blue Sky Habitat
option every month.
With habitat loss being the single most
important factor contributing to wild fish declines
and almost 30 percent of our rivers unable to fully
support aquatic life, investing in river and stream
restoration is critical to the health of salmon runs
and waterways throughout the region.
But what does “restoring a river” mean? It means
returning a river to its natural state. Over the last
half century, human interactions have degraded our
rivers and streams. Though appropriate decisions
were made at the time, we now know that rivers
actually function best naturally.
So, how exactly do you restore rivers as nature
intended? The following are a few simple, but
extremely effective ways to fix a river to improve
native fish habitat.
• Plant trees – planting native trees and plants is a
great idea anywhere, but particularly along stream
banks. They absorb and purify run-off, shade and
cool water, stabilize and protect stream banks and
provide valuable habitat for wildlife.
• Increase stream flow – more water in our rivers
and streams improves the overall water quality.
The amount of flow in a stream is regulated by
natural causes, such as rainfall, but can also be
affected by how much water is used for irrigation
and drinking water. By working with farmers to
improve irrigation practices, the conserved water
can be kept in our streams.
• Remove fish barriers – many wild fish use
different areas of a stream to complete their life
cycle. Barriers from improper road crossings can
block fish from reaching important spawning
and rearing grounds. By removing a fish passage
obstruction, such as a culvert, and replacing it
with a bridge, fish are able to navigate their rivers
more effectively.
Above: Before, during and after planting trees on the stream bank.
Pacific Power Oregon customers who support renewable energy through
the Blue Sky Habitat option fund native fish habitat and river restoration
like this tree planting project on Whychus Creek (pictured) in Central
Oregon. Managed by The Freshwater Trust, the funds go directly to
local restoration project managers selected by the nonprofit’s annual
application process.
Port of Portland completes
solar project
This 28-kilowatt ground-mounted solar array helps offset a portion
of the electricity used by the Portland International Airport facility
that processes the airport’s de-icing fluid.
A Blue Sky fund award from Pacific Power has helped
cover the installation cost of a solar installation at
Portland International Airport. Commissioned last
December, the 28-kilowatt ground-mounted solar
system consists of 120 SolarWorld solar panels and
helps power a treatment facility for runoff containing
the de-icing chemicals used on the airfield and
aircraft to enhance flight safety when the weather
turns cold.
California is top
renewable state: report
Join us for a renewable
energy facility tour
A new ranking of states released
on February 28 gives California
the lead in terms of overall
renewable energy suitability.
Ernst & Young issued United
States Renewable Attractiveness
Indices, which focuses on diverse
renewable energy markets, energy
infrastructures, and their suitability
for individual technologies.
Following California in the
“All Renewables Index” were
New Mexico, Colorado, and
Hawaii, with Massachusetts
and Texas tied for fifth place,
the report said. New Mexico
and Colorado rated highly
because of consistent growth
and strong potential across all
renewable energy technologies.
Massachusetts and Texas tied
because of strong solar and
wind investment respectively.
In separate renewable indices,
Maine topped the biomass
category and finished second
in geothermal. Illinois ranked
fourth in the long-term wind
index. See the Ernst & Young
press release and the full report.
Blue Sky funds available
for 2012
Annually, Pacific Power teams
up with Blue Sky customers to
help support the installation
of community-based, nonresidential renewable energy
projects in the company’s
service area, furthering the
growth of renewable energy in
local communities.
Projects are identified and
selected through an application
review and evaluation process.
Dollars available for awards are
limited and awards can range
from a few thousand dollars to
more significant investments
and may differ from the amount
requested by the applicant.
Blue Sky community project
funding comes from customers
participating in the Blue Sky
program and is available to
help cover the capital costs
of installing qualifying, new
renewable energy systems within
the Pacific Power service area.
Applications are now being
accepted for 2012 through
June 15, 2012 – learn more.
Blue Sky Habitat
option funds
For Blue Sky’s Habitat option,
The Freshwater Trust has put
out the call for projects that
will actively restore Oregon’s
river systems, and protect and
enhance native fish habitat
in the Rogue, Santiam and
Klamath River basins. Learn
more here.
© 2012 Pacific Power
Join Pacific Power on our annual renewable
energy project tour on Saturday, September 8.
This year’s tour will include the Marengo
Wind Farm and solar installations at Walla
Walla Community College, made possible
in part by Blue Sky customers. For details
on how to register for the tour, email
windtour@pacificpower.net or
call 1-866-476-9378 ext. 23.
Celebrate Earth Day –
every day!
Earth Day is just around the corner and Pacific Power
couldn’t be more excited! We always look forward to
this time of year when our customers come together
to celebrate nature and support a more sustainable
way of life. This year we are asking: why not make
every day Earth Day? Blue Sky customers already
share a year-round commitment to sustainable
energy, so check out the following tips for more
ways to embrace sustainable living all year long:
Be wattsmart and reduce your energy use
• Install a programmable thermostat – during
the summer months, set your
thermostat as high as comfortable.
We recommend 78°F or higher
when you’re at home, and 85°F
when you’re gone. You can do this
automatically with a programmable thermostat.
•
Use less and save more! Visit bewattsmart.com to
learn about energy-saving programs and incentives!
•
Visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables
& Efficiency (DSIRE) website at www.dsireusa.org
to see if you qualify for tax credits or rebates for
installing renewable energy systems and energyefficient appliances in your home.
Cut back on waste
• Choose durable goods – non-durable (disposable)
products make up more than 20 percent of what
we throw away. By opting for reusable shopping
bags, coffee mugs, water bottles and more, you
can conserve natural resources and save money.
•
•
Buy in bulk – containers and packaging make up
more than 30 percent of what we throw away.
Purchasing bulk items reduces the amount of
packaging waste that ends up in landfills.
•
Drive smoothly and slowly – accelerating quickly
can use one-third more fuel. By driving smoothly
and slowly, you can save on gas and help keep the
air we breathe clean.
Conserve water
Harvest the rain – according to the Environmental
Protection Agency, watering your garden and
lawn makes up about 40 percent of a household’s
water use. Collecting rainwater in catchment
barrels reduces runoff of harmful pollutants and
saves you about 1,300 gallons of water during
peak summer months.
•
•
Be wattsmart and water conscious
and use a high-efficiency washing
machine. These use half as much
water and energy.
•
Collect water that runs until the
shower gets hot or water used to boil food and use
it to water plants and wash your car.
To learn more about living sustainably visit
the Environmental Protection Agency’s green living
site by clicking here.
Recycle and compost – while most of what we
throw away can be recycled or
composted, Americans only do
so with 34 percent of our waste.
Recycling and composting more
will take the strain from our
landfills, while promoting cleaner
air and water for everyone.
Offshore wind gets $180
million boost from DOE
On March 1, 2012, the Department of Energy
(DOE) announced the start of an initiative to
capture wind energy off U.S. coasts. As part of
a planned six-year, $180 million initiative, an
initial $20 million will be available this year as
the first step in supporting up to four innovative
offshore wind energy installations. These offshore
wind projects will accelerate the deployment of
breakthrough wind power technologies that will
help diversify the U.S. energy portfolio. Offshore
wind resources in the United States are estimated
at more than 4,000 gigawatts.
The demonstration projects will help address
key challenges associated with installing utilityscale offshore wind turbines, connecting offshore
turbines to the power grid, and navigating new
permitting and approval processes. In addition
to the new funding, DOE is continuing to work
with partners across the federal government to
implement a comprehensive offshore wind energy
strategy, conduct resource assessments, and
streamline siting and permitting processes.
Applicants to the competitive solicitation
are expected to form consortia of energy project
developers, equipment suppliers, research
institutions, and marine-installation specialists.
DOE funds may be used to cover up to 80 percent
of a project’s design costs and 50 percent of the
hardware and installation costs. Applications are
due on May 31, 2012.
See the DOE press release and the funding
opportunity details.