In June, 2002, Kinko’s agreed to buy renewable energy for 10 Oregon branches served by Pacific Power and Portland General Electric (PGE) for an expected total of 1.5 million kilowatt hours (kwh) annually — about the same energy required to power 125 average homes in the Pacific Northwest for a year.

Three stores served by Pacific Power are purchasing 20 percent of their power through the utility’s Blue Sky wind power program. Green Mountain Energy Company, the nation’s largest retail provider of cleaner electricity, will fulfill a substantial portion of the renewable power demand for many of the participating Kinko’s locations. The 10 participating branches are located in the Portland area, as well as in Medford, Corvallis and Bend, Ore.

Three stores served by Pacific Power purchase Blue Sky wind power, placing Kinko’s at the program’s "Champion" level. Seven locations switched to Green Mountain Energy ^SM electricity. This 100 percent renewable power product — offered by both Pacific Power and PGE is comprised of a mix of geothermal and wind energy, and is 99 percent pollution free. Kinko’s also becomes one of PGE’s largest renewable power purchasers among the 318 business and 12,630 residential customers enrolled.

"With its purchase of Green Mountain Energy and Blue Sky, Kinko’s is bringing cleaner energy into the power grid that otherwise would have to be generated by less environmentally friendly sources," said Bill Edmonds, environmental policy manager for Pacific Power. "Kinko’s is leading 316 Oregon businesses and 8,467 Oregon households using Pacific Power who are investing in a more sustainable future."

Kinko’s buys renewable energy in 12 states, including a previous agreement in Eugene, Ore. Other environmental initiatives include reducing energy use, offering recycled and alternative papers, and minimizing waste.