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Both Pacific
Power and Portland General Electric are offering their customers
three options for "green" power -- electricity provided
from wind, geothermal and other resources. Each option is designed
to fit a different commitment level, so choose what's best for you!
They all represent a choice for a cleaner, healthier environment.
Environmental
Options:
Fixed
Renewable
You can choose to buy a fixed amount of your electricity from new
wind generation each month through Portland General Electric’s
Clean Wind program ($3.50/block) or Pacific Power’s Blue Sky
program ($2.95/block). Buying just one "block" of green
power a month for one year = planting one-third acre of trees.
Renewable
Usage
This option lets you, through your utility, purchase all of your
electricity from Green Mountain Energy's 100% green sources (85%
geothermal and 15% wind). At less than a penny more per kilowatt
hour, this option will cost an average household about $7-8 more
per month than their regular electric bill.
Habitat
You can get 100% of your electricity from sources that are not harmful
to fish while you help restore native fish habitat. The electricity
comes from Green Mountain Energy's geothermal and new wind sources,
brought to you by your utility. An additional $2.50 contribution
goes to nonprofit conservation groups working on habitat restoration
projects. This option will cost about $10 more per month for an
average household.
Basic
Service:
The Basic Service rate you have now will continue to be available.
You’ll stay on this rate unless you enroll in a different option.
Is
it Really Green?
Your
utility is required to invest the money it receives from the green
power options in purchasing new green power and on habitat restoration
projects. The Oregon Public Utility Commission requires a full accounting
of expenditures on an annual basis. Both utilties also work closely
with a number of public interest groups, who also keep close track
of the utilities' activities.
Still
Regulated, Still Reliable:
The
Oregon Public Utility Commission regulates all these electricity
options, which were developed by an advisory group set up by the
Commission. The group included representatives of the Oregon Office
of Energy, Citizens' Utility Board, Associated Oregon Industries,
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Fair and Clean Energy
Coalition, Renewable Northwest Project, League of Oregon Cities,
City of Portland, the Public Utility Commission, Pacific Power and
Portland General Electric.
No
matter which option you choose, your utility will continue to maintain
the poles and wires that deliver your electricity, as well as customer
service, billing and meter reading.
When
to Choose:
These electricity
options are available as of March 1, 2002. Portland General Electric
and Pacific Power customers received enrollment materials in January
or February. You can sign up right away on your utility’s website,
or mail or fax the enrollment form. Or you can enroll anytime. You
also can change options at any time.
For
More Information:
Pacific Power
Residential
& Business Customers
http://www.pacificpower.net/bluesky
Residential
& Business Customers Enrollment
http://www.pacificpower.net/enroll
1-800-769-3717
Portland General
Electric
http://www.portlandgeneral.com/home/products/renewable_power/default.asp
1-800-542-8818
Green Mountain
Energy Company
http://www.greenmountain.com/services/OR/index.jsp
1-866-GMTN-633
3 Phases Energy
Services
http://www.3phases.com/
For the Sake
of the Salmon
http://www.4sos.org
503-223-8511
Public Utility
Commission
http://www.puc.state.or.us
1-800-522-2404
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