Wednesday July 2 2014

Blue Sky is a Top 5 Utility Green Power Program for 11th Year

Filed Under:

News Release

Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program has once again received national recognition. For the 11th year, the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory ranked PacifiCorp, which includes Rocky Mountain Power and Pacific Power, in the top five utility green power programs in the country. For 2013, Blue Sky ranks second for participating customers and third for renewable energy sales through a voluntary program.

“Our Blue Sky customers have helped build a market for renewable energy for more than a decade and have helped fund the construction of more than 120 community-based renewable energy projects in our service area,” said Richard Walje, Rocky Mountain Power president and CEO. “For customers who want to support the continued growth of renewable energy, Blue Sky is a smart choice that makes a real difference for the environment and sustainability.”

At the end of last year, there were a total of 94,787 Blue Sky customers in six states. These customers made a difference by supporting more than 634 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy during 2013, with environmental benefits equivalent to avoiding 395,844 tons of carbon dioxide. That’s like taking 74,169 cars off the road or planting 9.3 million trees. Blue Sky customers also helped fund dozens of new community-based renewable energy projects.

In 2013, Blue Sky participation by Rocky Mountain Power customers increased by nearly six percent and Blue Sky funding was awarded to 24 new community-based renewable energy projects. There are currently more than 44,000 Blue Sky customers in Rocky Mountain Power’s service area in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho.

The Blue Sky program provides an easy and convenient way for Rocky Mountain 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 rockymountainpower.net/bluesky or call toll free at 800-769-3717.

In Utah, Rocky Mountain Power is partnering with Blue Sky customers to build a 2-megawatt solar farm that will have about 9,000 panels and will be the company’s first utility-sized solar project in the state. When Utah customers enroll in Blue Sky, they are directly supporting this solar farm and the construction of smaller community-based renewable energy projects, in addition to their support for regional wind energy. Learn more at rockymountainpower.net/utahblueskysolarfarm.