Salt Lake Valley Businesses Boost Renewables with Blue Sky

April 02, 2009

SALT LAKE CITY — Several Salt Lake Valley companies have greened their operations with large purchases of Blue Sky, Rocky Mountain Power's renewable energy program. Dave's Health & Nutrition is a top-tier supporter, and Black Diamond Equipment, Urgyen Samten Ling Gonpa — Tibetan Buddhist Temple and Eiffel Tower Catering also are buying Blue Sky.

"Renewable energy is an important, growing part of Rocky Mountain Power's energy mix," said Alene Bentley, customer and community manager for Rocky Mountain Power. "Blue Sky provides a simple, convenient way for businesses and residential customers to support renewable energy even more."

Rocky Mountain Power's Blue Sky program provides customers with an easy way to support regional wind energy, and to help encourage the development of small, community-based renewable energy projects in the company's service area, such as solar power. For as little as $1.95 more per month, customers can buy a 100 kilowatt-hour block of Blue Sky.

Dave's Health & Nutrition is buying enough Blue Sky to offset more than 100 percent of its electric usage, making it a Visionary-level Blue Sky participant. Black Diamond Equipment is a Champion-level buyer, offsetting 25 percent of its electricity use. The companies' combined purchase of 396 Blue Sky blocks per month will help avoid 289 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year – the equivalent of taking 49 cars off the road.

"We do know that we do have poor air quality in the valley at times," said Jean Gardner, manager of Urgyen Samten Ling Gonpa — Tibetan Buddhist Temple. "If we can help generate clean power, that benefits everyone."

"I participate in Blue Sky because I want to reduce my environmental impact in my community," said Tom Vanderbeek, executive chef and owner, Eiffel Tower Catering, who also drives clean air vehicles.

About 28,000 Rocky Mountain Power customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho currently buy Blue Sky renewable energy. The program was named 2007 Green Power Program of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Rocky Mountain Power
Rocky Mountain Power is headquartered in Salt Lake City and provides electric service to more than 982,000 customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. As part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, Rocky Mountain Power and Pacific Power provide approximately 1.7 million customers in six Western states with reliable, efficient energy. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment.

Blue Sky
Blue Sky began in 2000 to give Rocky Mountain Power customers an easy way to support renewable power development. More than 29,651 Rocky Mountain Power customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho currently buy Blue Sky renewable energy. There are approximately 67,000 Blue Sky participants in the western United States. Blue Sky is Green-e Energy certified and was named 2007 Green Power Program of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. To learn more about Blue Sky or to sign up, visit www.rockymountainpower.net/bluesky or call 1-800-769-3717.

Media inquiries: 800-775-7950; newsdesk@pacificorp.com