Columbia Steel Casting Co., Inc., a Portland, Ore.-based specialty manufacturer of industrial replacement parts, is no stranger to environmental stewardship. The privately owned company has a State of Oregon award for environmental leadership and a "BEST" award (Business for Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow) from the City of Portland for its water conservation efforts. Since 1982, Columbia Steel has reduced water consumption by 98 percent, saving 500 million gallons per year.

In the year of its centennial anniversary, Columbia Steel has committed to purchasing the equivalent of one percent of its power usage — 420,000 kwh — from Blue Sky.

"We believe the development of alternative energy sources is essential to American industry, and we applaud Pacific Power for taking the steps to develop viable wind projects," said Columbia Steel President Don Falk.