ADVOCATES CELEBRATE NORTHWEST UTILITIES
MAKING NATIONAL 'TOP TEN' LISTS FOR
GREEN POWER PROGRAMS

March 15, 2006 – Regional renewable advocates applauded the many Northwest utilities highlighted in the U.S Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). 'Top Ten' rankings released today.

"We’re pleased to see the excellent showing of Northwest utilities in the national rankings," commented Diane Zipper, director of green power programs at Renewable Northwest Project, a regional renewable energy advocacy organization. 

"Utility green power programs allow consumers to directly support clean, renewable power," continued Zipper.  "Northwest customers should be congratulated for doing their part in pushing the market forward and helping to create a clean energy future."

Seven utilities from the region made one or more of the 'Top Ten' lists, which rate participation of customers in green power programs: Avista Utilities, Clallam County Public Utility District, Central Electric Cooperative, Eugene Water and Electric Board, PacifiCorp, Portland General Electric and Puget Sound Energy. 

"These utilities are taking a leadership role and setting an example for other utilities that want to begin or improve their own green power program," said Zipper.  "PacifiCorp, PGE and Puget Sound especially should be commended for their multiple listings." 

All three utilities made the rankings for number of customers participating in their green power programs and renewable energy sales.  PGE is the only investor-owned utility in the nation ranked in customer participation rate - the rest are municipal utilities, cooperatives, or public utility districts.

"We’re pretty energy savvy as a region", noted Zipper. "Customers have been able to make the connection between the benefits renewable energy brings to the environment and our economy, and signing up for a green power option."

Throughout the Northwest, in markets both urban and rural, thirty-six Northwest utilities currently offer customers a choice of an environmentally preferred power source – wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas, or certified low-impact hydro power.