Corvallis Celebrates Green Power Community Status
Corvallis Oregon today attained the distinction of being named the first Green Power Community on the West Coast by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The city of Moab, Utah became the first Green Power Community in 2004, and Boulder, Colorado achieved this status in 2005.
“While other communities are beginning to buy green power to support clean, renewable sources of electricity, Corvallis is the first Northwest community to join the Green Power Partnership and purchase clean energy at a level high enough to meet the program’s requirements,” said Matt Clouse, director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership.
Clouse presented two colorful road signs to Corvallis City Council members with the words, “Welcome to a Green Power Community–we exceed EPA guidelines for buying clean, renewable energy.”
Green Power Communities are a new type of partner for EPA’s Green Power Partnership, which provides assistance and recognition to organizations that demonstrate environmental leadership by choosing green power.
Green Power Communities are recognized by EPA’s Green Power Partnership for having area homes, businesses, organizations and local governments that purchase renewable energy.
If the community uses 100,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of power, two percent must be generated by renewable sources of energy; between 100,000 and 10,000 MWh, three percent must be renewable; and under 10,000 MWh, six percent must be renewable.
At a gathering of Corvallis business leaders and citizens, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski said, “Oregonians want a bright future with clear skies that is fueled by clean, renewable energy, and today we have the opportunity to honor the citizens of Corvallis who are leading not only the state, but the entire West Coast to make this vision a reality. With partners in the business community, state and local governments, the federal government, and individual citizens, Oregon can and will be a national leader in renewable energy use and production. Today represents another step in that direction.”
Congresswoman Darlene Hooley told the gathering that working for cleaner air is one issue all Oregonians can agree upon. “Buying renewable power is something we can do together to support the growing wind power industry in our region and help reduce greenhouse gases,” Hooley said. “Im so proud of Corvallis for achieving this EPA designation as a result of their efforts to foster sustainable energy solutions. Corvallis is always a leader in supporting innovative ideas to preserve our environment.”
Corvallis ranks first among Oregon cities for the percentage of customers supporting renewable energy through an optional renewable energy program –Pacific Power’s Blue Sky. There are 2,811 households and 93 businesses enrolled in the Blue Sky program, which accounts for nearly 12.5% of the company’s customer base in the Corvallis area. The city itself purchases 75,000 kilowatt-hours of Blue Sky wind energy each month.
Pacific Power President Stan Watters said the Blue Sky program supports local wind farm development. “We recently purchased 40,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy credits from the Nine Canyon Wind Project on the Oregon-Washington border on behalf of our Blue Sky customers,” he said.
Green-powered organizations in Corvallis include Fortune 500 companies such as Hewlett-Packard and FedEx Kinko’s, as well as small businesses such as Harrison House B&B and Riverside Window and Door. Citizens who want their power to come from clean, renewable sources also are buying into the Blue Sky program.
Provided by the Environmental News Service.
