ASHLAND, Ore. — Mt. Ashland Ski Area is doing its part to help keep Oregon green by buying Pacific Power’s Blue Sky wind energy. Mt. Ashland signed up to buy 38 blocks of Blue Sky each month, representing a significant amount of the electricity used to power ski operations on the mountain.

“By purchasing Blue Sky wind power we are reinforcing our commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Jeff Hanson, the General Manager for Mt. Ashland. “Not only do we want to take excellent care of the lands entrusted to us, we want to develop and participate in new, environmentally sound practices.”

Wind power helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It produces no air pollutants, wastewater, smog or acid rain. Over the course of one year, Mt. Ashland’s purchase will prevent the release of 32 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Blue Sky gives customers a way to grow the demand for wind energy. It is sold in 100-kilowatt-hour block increments for $1.95 each, in addition to a customer’s regular monthly electric bill. Purchasing one block of Blue Sky energy over a period of a year is equivalent to offsetting more than a ton of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to not driving more than 2,500 miles or to planting almost a half-acre of trees.* More than 3,900 Oregon Pacific Power customers are participating in the Blue Sky wind power program.

“Purchases made by commercial customers such as Mt. Ashland drive the renewable energy market forward, and they should be commended for taking a leadership role,” said Ross Finney, southern Oregon outreach coordinator for the Renewable Northwest Project.

Blue Sky is just a part of the picture. Pacific Power has announced it plans to bring another 1,400 mw of renewable generation on line within the next 10 years, over and above renewables purchased by its customers.

In addition, wind power is a growing industry in Oregon. By the end of 2003, the Eurus Combine Hills Project – a new 41-megawatt (mw) wind farm located west of Milton-Freewater, Ore. – will come on-line. A critical component of the deal was PacifiCorp’s agreement to purchase all of the energy produced by the wind plant for its Pacific Power and Utah Power customers. The plant’s output is enough energy to power nearly 12,000 average households annually.

"This is great news for Oregon," said Rachel Shimshak, director of RNP. "We are thrilled that the Eurus Combine Hills Project is moving forward. By the end of the year, another 41 mw of clean power will be added to the 218 mw already being generated in our state."

In addition to helping the environment, wind farm development also benefits local economies. The new Oregon project is expected to provide construction jobs and permanently employ up to six full-time positions. It is estimated that initial property taxes for the first phase could exceed $300,000 per year. The site is located on private, agricultural land, held by local farmers and ranchers who will receive direct financial benefit through land lease payments from the developer.

Oregon’s Pacific Power customers have two additional ways to support renewable power:
 
Renewable Usage — energy comes from 100 percent renewable energy — a blend of geothermal and wind — billed at less than one cent ($0.0078) per kwh above the Basic Service rate. There are more than 9,200 customers enrolled.

Habitat — energy comes from 100 percent renewable energy sources — a blend of geothermal and wind — billed at the Renewable Usage rate; plus a $2.50 fixed monthly donation to the nonprofit Pacific Salmon Watershed Fund to rebuild salmon habitat. There are more than 2,160 customers enrolled.

Almost 15,300 Pacific Power customers in Oregon are choosing to support renewable energy through the three programs. Customers who want to sign up can call Pacific Power’s Customer Service Center, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Pacific Time at 1-800-769-3717. Asistencia en Español: 1-888-225-2611. Customers can sign up online at www.pacificpower.net .

About Renewable Northwest Project

A broad coalition of public-interest organizations and energy companies formed the Renewable Northwest Project in 1994 to promote renewable energy development in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Since its inception, RNP has been a forceful advocate, for basing the region's energy future on clean, renewable resources, such as solar, wind and geothermal. For more information please contact Ross Finney at 541-488-1391 or visit the Renewable Northwest Web site at www.RNP.org .

About Mt. Ashland and the Environment

Mt Ashland has shown its dedication to environmental causes through educational outreach. Last season, Mt. Ashland started a partnership with local elementary and middle schools offering snow science field trips. More than 400 students participated in survival techniques and winter wildlife studies. The students gained an appreciation of a dynamic winter environment and how plants and animals adapt to the drastic change in the natural surroundings. Also, Mt Ashland was awarded the Silver Eagle for Environmental Education by the National Ski Areas Association in 2001. The award was given for the ski area's Youth Summer Services program, which brings middle school age youth to the ski area in the middle of the every summer to participate in environmental stewardship activities.

Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com