|
Ogden residents and businesses stepped up their commitment to renewable energy use and to reducing the community’s collective
carbon footprint by taking part in the Ogden Blue Sky community challenge. The city-sponsored initiative began May, 1, 2007,
and concluded Dec. 31, 2007.
A celebratory event was held at Ogden’s Youth Impact Center, on Feb. 7, to recognize the community’s support for Blue Sky
renewable energy and the results of the challenge. The event included children’s activities focusing on renewable energy,
air quality and environmental stewardship. “Green Partner” awards were presented to Utah Clean Energy, Roosters Brewing Company,
Grounds for Coffee and the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce.
“We commend the efforts of the Ogden residents and businesses supporting Blue Sky renewable energy,” said Sara Baldwin with
Utah Clean Energy. “The Ogden community has demonstrated that simple individual actions can add up and make a big difference
for Utah’s environment and clean energy future.” Utah Clean Energy is a nonprofit public interest group that has helped to
educate the Ogden community about the numerous benefits of supporting renewable energy through Rocky Mountain Power’s optional
Blue Sky program.
1,161 Ogden community members are now supporting 7,894 blocks (789,400 kilowatt-hours) of Blue Sky renewable energy each month
– equivalent to the average monthly electric usage of 1,316 typical Ogden households. During the eight-month Ogden Blue Sky
Community Challenge, more than 500 new customers signed up for Blue Sky (a 79 percent increase in program participation).
Over a year’s time, Ogden Blue Sky customers’ purchases will help avoid 9,473 tons of carbon dioxide emissions – creating
annual environmental benefits equivalent to taking 1,624 cars off the road for a year or planting 3,721 acres of trees.
Blue Sky provides Rocky Mountain Power customers with an easy, convenient way to purchase renewable energy and support new
renewable energy development in the region, including community-based renewable energy projects. Customers can buy Blue Sky
in 100 kilowatt-hour blocks for $1.95 each, in addition to their regular monthly electricity bill. Enrollment is optional,
and customers may increase their participation or withdraw from the program at any time.
Click here for more information about Blue Sky.
Blue Sky Business Partners in Ogden include:
-
Autoliv
-
Bingham Cyclery
-
-
-
Hutchison and Neider
-
Herbs for Health Water Outlet
-
Kaffe Mercantile
-
Landlord Business Solutions
-
Newcastle Mortgage
-
Nidecker Snowboards
-
Ogden Nature Center
-
Olde Salt Bikes
- Roosters Brewing Company
-
Staker and Parson Companies
- The Daily Rise Expresso
- Weber State University
- Wadman Corporation
“Once we learned of the benefits of the Blue Sky program to the environment and to our community, we wanted to become involved
with the program,” said Keith Buswell, vice president of business development for Wadman Corporation, a Champion level Blue
Sky business partner based in Ogden. “Renewable energy sources are now available and make so much sense as quality alternatives
to fossil fuels. Wadman is proud to get involved in this emerging energy opportunity and knows that Blue Sky will benefit
our employees and the community’s quality of life. We are encouraging our employees to get involved with the Blue Sky program
at their own homes.”
“Autoliv’s business practices are based on continuous improvement. This principle not only guides the way we produce airbag
products, but it also drives the way we interact with our environment,” said Kathy Whitehead, manager of marketing and communications
for Autoliv, also a Champion-level Blue Sky business partner and an Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Partner. “As
a member of Ogden’s Blue Sky Community Challenge, Autoliv takes this principle one step further by underscoring our commitment
to improve the air quality in the communities where our employees live and work. And that makes us proud to know that while
our products are saving lives, our processes are saving the environment.”
|
