Contact:
Tom Gauntt
503-813-7291
Pacific Power renewable energy customers are national leaders again
Blue Sky is a top 5 utility green power program for 17th straight year
PORTLAND, Ore.—Pacific Power’s Blue Sky customers are among the nation’s most devoted promoters of renewable energy as the program has once again received national recognition for its leadership and impact. For the 17th year, the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory ranked Blue Sky—which includes Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power customers—in the top five utility green power programs in the entire country.
For 2019, Blue Sky ranks second for total number of participating customers and third for total renewable energy sales through a voluntary program. For full report go to: nrel.gov/analysis/green-power.html.
The Blue Sky program provides a convenient way for Pacific Power customers to support renewable energy. More than 73,700 customers in Oregon, Washington and California participate in the program, which has generated more than 8 million megawatt-hours of renewable energy from wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal projects, reducing their emissions footprint by nearly 6 million tons of CO2 through our six states. Pacific Power Blue Sky customers have also supported more than 120 community-based renewable energy projects.
“Our Blue Sky customers are living examples of a virtuous cycle” said Berit Kling, program manager. “Customers enthusiastically support the continued growth of renewable energy and by doing so help fund green projects in local communities. But it all starts with customers and their own green power goals. We are happy to help them achieve those goals through Blue Sky, which combines all those personal aspirations and makes a big difference both locally and globally.”
Local renewable projects include a micro-hydro project at Wallowa Lake State Park, a large solar array at a Portland community center and solar panels at the Glide Fire Dept. in Douglas County.
The Blue Sky program provides an easy and convenient way for Pacific Power customers to support renewable energy in the region beyond the company’s cost-effective renewable resource investments to serve all customers. Blue Sky is Green-e Energy certified by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions and customers can participate in the program for as little as $1.95 each month. For more information or to sign up, visit pacificpower.net/bluesky or call toll free at 800-769-3717.
Media Contact:
Tom Gauntt, PacifiCorp 503-813-7291 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
See unique fish passage and protection facilities at Soda Springs Dam
TOKETEE, Ore. – Sept., 17, 2019--Pacific Power, along with federal and state natural resource agencies, will host a public tour of the fish enhancement projects at the North Umpqua Hydroelectric Project, on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. The annual tour will highlight state-of-the-art fish passage and protection facilities at Soda Springs Dam and upstream locations on the North Umpqua River within the Umpqua National Forest approximately 60 miles east of Roseburg.
These enhancements are part of Pacific Power's 194-megawatt hydroelectric project that produces enough renewable, emission-free electricity to supply approximately 80,000 average homes each year. The project was built in the 1940s and 50s, but has undergone many substantial improvements since 2001 to balance efficient energy production with fish, wildlife, recreation, and other values.
"The river is dynamic, and so are we: constantly operating, maintaining, and improving the facilities for fish passage and protection and the habitat for fish spawning and rearing," said Rich Grost, principal aquatic scientist with Pacific Power. “It’s especially satisfying to see wild Chinook salmon spawning upstream of the dam and to share that experience on tours like this.”
The tour begins at 11 a.m. and is expected to conclude by 3 p.m. It begins with a presentation at the North Umpqua Implementation Center, which is about an hour east of Roseburg on Highway 138. Turn left at Milepost 57 (at the green "Control Center" sign) onto Toketee School Road, and proceed down the paved road one-quarter-mile to the parking lot in front of the gray and blue buildings. After the presentation, guests will be transported on buses to the project sites.
Carpooling is encouraged due to limited parking space. Please wear sturdy boots or shoes, and bring a sack lunch and hard hat if you have one. Hard hats are required to access the dam and will be provided to those who don’t have their own.
Space is limited and must be reserved by contacting Rich Grost (Pacific Power) at 541-498-2617 or Rich.Grost@PacifiCorp.com by Oct. 2 and providing the names of everyone in your party. Last-minute requests will be accommodated on a space-available basis.
The tour is sponsored by the Resource Coordination Committee for the North Umpqua Hydroelectric Project. Members include PacifiCorp, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Department of Water Resources. Representatives of several of these agencies will be participating in the tour.
###
About PacifiCorp
PacifiCorp is one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, serving 1.9 million customers in the West. PacifiCorp operates as Pacific Power in Oregon, Washington and California, and as Rocky Mountain Power in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. With a generating capability of 10,880 megawatts, including 2,197 megawatts from renewable hydro, wind, solar, and geothermal power, the company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment.
Pacific Power media hotline: September 11, 2019
1-800-570-5838 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oregon’s Wallowa Lake State Park showcases new “micro hydro” renewable energy resource at
public open house Sept. 28
Free event will feature family-friendly activities and a chance to peek inside the park’s new micro hydro Power House
JOSEPH, Ore. — Nestled amongst the campgrounds, snow-capped mountains and gleaming waters of Wallowa Lake State Park lives a brand-new attraction: a small log cabin with a big new idea for producing clean, renewable energy for the region. The recently completed Power House is home to a micro hydropower turbine that uses the flow of the existing municipal water supply line near the head of Wallowa Lake to generate a continuous source of power.
On Saturday, September 28, the public is invited to come get a special insider’s view during a free Power House Open House event. Tours of the micro hydro facility, short presentations and fun, hands-on activities for kids and families will provide a chance to learn more about the project. Guests can even take home a limited-edition bandana designed for the occasion.
The free event is hosted by Pacific Power, Wallowa Resources Community Solutions Inc., and Wallowa Lake State Park, who together with Energy Trust of Oregon, have helped bring the project to the park.
“Wallowa Lake’s micro hydro project highlights how we can work together to grow renewable energy resources right here in our own backyard,” said Lori Wyman, Pacific Power’s regional business manager based in Eastern Oregon. “Through our partners and our own Blue Sky participants, this project will support our community for years to come, and hopefully inspire the park’s many visitors too.”
Annually, the new facility is expected to generate around 150,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy – enough to offset about 85 percent of the power needed to pump fresh drinking water to 160 nearby homes and businesses. Pacific Power’s Blue Sky customers provided $60,000 in funding to the micro hydro facility as part of its community project grant program, which supports community-based solar, wind, geothermal and renewable energy projects across Pacific Power’s service area. The project also received an $80,000 incentive from Energy Trust.
“This project is a great example of using existing infrastructure and a local renewable resource to save energy dollars for the community and generate clean local energy,” said Kyle Petrocine, renewable energy program manager, Wallowa Resources.
Micro hydro works by converting the energy of moving water already used for irrigation, municipal or domestic use into mechanical energy, using a turbine. The turbine helps spins a generator which produces electricity. At the park, the new system directs water already flowing from State Park Springs through the Power House turbine before discharging back into the community water system. In cases where the community uses less water than the spring provides, the water eventually flows into Wallowa Lake.
Throughout the year, the Power House will welcome visitors with educational signage and windows allowing visitors to see the working turbine and generator from the outside in.
Event Information
Power House Open House, hosted by Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program, Wallowa Resources and Wallowa Lake State Park
Date: Saturday, September 28
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
How to get there: The event will be held at Wallowa Lake State Park, Wallowa Lake Hwy., Joseph, Oregon. Entrance to the event is from the Marina Parking Lot. Visitors can walk a short trail or ride a golf-cart shuttle to the Power House.
The event will also be held in conjunction with the community’s annual Alpenfest, taking place at the Wallowa Lake Marina the last weekend of September.
###
About Wallowa Resources
Wallowa Resources Community Solutions Inc. (WRCSI) is an Oregon-based small business providing professional consulting services in renewable energy and natural resource-based business and economic development. As Wallowa Resources’ for-profit subsidiary, WRCSI creates and sustains small businesses and jobs tied to natural resources and renewable energy by providing capital, business services and technical assistance. WRCSI projects are characterized by a no-impact environmental footprint while providing community benefits in the form of improved bottom lines, county resilience and sustainable natural resource utilization. Learn more at www.wallowaresources.org or call 541-426-8053.
About Wallowa Lake State Park
Wallowa Lake is a glacial lake at the base of the heavily glaciated Wallowa Mountains. This range is in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and includes the renowned Eagle Cap Wilderness. Wallowa Lake State Park is a base from which visitors can explore the mountain country and the approaches to the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area on the Snake River.
The mission of the Parks and Recreation Department is to provide and protect outstanding natural, scenic, cultural, historic and recreational sites for the enjoyment and education of present and future generations.
About Pacific Power and Blue Sky
Pacific Power provides electric service to more than 740,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 1.9 million customers in six western states Information about Pacific Power is available on the company’s website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via pacificpower.net.
Blue Sky is an opt-in program that gives Pacific Power customers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint while supporting the development of new renewable energy. Through Blue Sky, customers can also invest in renewable energy projects for community-serving organizations. Since 2006, Pacific Power Blue Sky Block participants have supported more than 120 community-based solar, wind, geothermal and renewable energy projects across Pacific Power’s service area. To learn more, visit www.PacificPower.net/BlueSky.
Persistent low water conditions limit boat access on Yale, Swift Reservoirs
Boat launching curtailed at Cougar, Beaver and Saddle Dam ramps
WOODLAND, Wash. – Low water levels in the Lewis River drainage continue to impact boaters. The boat ramps at Saddle Dam Park, Cougar Park and Beaver Bay on Yale Reservoir are closed until further notice. The ramp at Swift Camp will also be closed as of Sept. 8.
The ramp at Yale Park is open and provides boat access to the reservoir. Boat launches at Speelyai and Cresap on Lake Merwin reservoir are open.
Low snowpack and below average spring rains means water coming into the series of reservoirs managed by PacifiCorp is well below normal for this time of year. Statewide, the Washington governor has declared a drought. Closure signs are posted at the affected recreation sites.
Reservoir levels, even without the water conditions seen this year, are subject to available inflows and downstream flow requirements for fish and aquatic habitats. While reservoir levels are always subject to fluctuation, PacifiCorp recognizes the importance of recreational resources and balancing of recreation access with environmental requirements.
Pacific Power media hotline: Aug. 26, 2019
1-800-570-5838 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Quick Tips to Beat the Heat
Tips from Pacific Power to stay cool, use less energy and save money
PORTLAND, Ore. —With a heat wave rolling into the Pacific Northwest this week, Pacific Power offers tips on how to beat the heat, use less energy and save money.
###
About Pacific Power
Pacific Power is headquartered in Portland, and provides electric service to 750,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. It is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the U.S., providing approximately 1.8 million customers with reliable, efficient energy. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment. For more information, visit the website at www.pacificpower.net.
Pacific Power media hotline: Aug. 26, 2019
1-800-570-5838 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Quick Tips to Beat the Heat
Tips from Pacific Power to stay cool, use less energy and save money
MEDFORD, Ore. —With a heat wave rolling into southern Oregon this week, Pacific Power offers tips on how to beat the heat, use less energy and save money.
###
About Pacific Power
Pacific Power is headquartered in Portland, and provides electric service to 750,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. It is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the U.S., providing approximately 1.8 million customers with reliable, efficient energy. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment. For more information, visit the website at www.pacificpower.net.
Contact: Tom Gauntt, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PacifiCorp, 503-813-7291 Aug.23, 2019
Low water conditions limit boat access on Yale Reservoir
Low water has made boat launching impossible at Cougar, Beaver and Saddle Dam ramps
WOODLAND, Wash. – Low water levels in the Lewis River drainage are beginning to impact boaters. The boat ramps at Saddle Dam Park, Cougar Park and Beaver Bay on Yale Reservoir will close until further notice.
The ramp at Yale Park is open and provides boat access to the reservoir. Boat launches on Merwin and Swift reservoirs are open.
Low snowpack and below average spring rains means water coming into the series of reservoirs managed by PacifiCorp is well below normal for this time of year. Statewide, the Washington governor has declared a drought. Closure signs are posted at the affected recreation sites.
Reservoir levels, even without the water conditions seen this year, are subject to available inflows and downstream flow requirements for fish and aquatic habitats. While reservoir levels are always subject to fluctuation, PacifiCorp recognizes the importance of recreational resources and balancing of recreation access with environmental requirements.
####
About PacifiCorp
PacifiCorp is one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, serving 1.9 million customers in the West. PacifiCorp operates as Pacific Power in Oregon, Washington and California, and as Rocky Mountain Power in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. The company’s generating capability of more than 10,620 megawatts includes power from coal, hydro, gas-fired combustion turbines and renewable wind and geothermal facilities. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment