PacifiCorp, PPM Energy and ScottishPower unite to raise $465,000 for response and recovery following the Southeast Asia tsunami

PORTLAND, Ore. — PacifiCorp is used to responding to the wrath of Mother Nature. When wicked weather knocks out electric service to customers, PacifiCorp crews work fast and furious to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

But when a tsunami devastated India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and many island countries on December 26, PacifiCorp employees joined with employees from across the ScottishPower group to respond to the disaster in a different — but no less meaningful — way.

PacifiCorp operates as Pacific Power in Oregon, Washington, California and Wyoming; and as Utah Power in Utah and Idaho. It has been part of ScottishPower since 1999.

PacifiCorp employees dug deep into their pockets, raising more than $106,000 across six states to aid in the relief effort. When combined with contributions from sister company PPM Energy, ScottishPower and a match by the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning, the total raised amounted to nearly $465,000.

In the days following the disaster, PacifiCorp, PPM Energy and ScottishPower kicked off internal fundraising programs, spurred mostly by employees’ requests to help support the victims of the disaster any way possible.

 “We were overwhelmed by the response by employees from all parts of our business and service area,” said Mike Pittman, director of Human Resources for the ScottishPower Group. “It was obvious that this crisis touched all of us, whether located in Portland, Oregon, or Glasgow, Scotland. It’s been powerful to see the donations come pouring in, knowing that we will make an impact on helping the people in those affected nations recover.”

The portion raised by PacifiCorp and PPM Energy and matched by the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning —  $221,720 — came less than a month after the companies concluded their annual employee giving campaigns for which more than $1.1 million was raised for local communities, programs and agencies. PacifiCorp’s and PPM’s tsunami appeal gave employees the option of giving to several agencies, including Northwest Medical Teams, Mercy Corps, American Red Cross, LDS Humanitarian Aid and CARE. One-time donations were an option, as was a payroll deduction program.

The ScottishPower employee fundraising continues through February, but the company has taken the further step of working with the U.K. government and others to coordinate rebuilding activities in the tsunami-affected region. The company continues to explore possible volunteer opportunities and prepare plans for skilled utility workers to help in the large-scale restoration effort. ScottishPower also donated a four-wheel drive vehicle from its fleet, which will soon be airlifted to Asia.

The total donation includes:

• $212,300 by PacifiCorp employees in the U.S., which includes matching funds from the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning.
• $9,420 by PPM Energy employees in the U.S., which includes matching funds from the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning.
• $243,265 by ScottishPower employees in the U.K., which includes matching funds by the company, proceeds from special events and a contribution by the company’s disaster emergency committee.

“We recognize that the restoration effort will be extensive, lasting for months, maybe years, and taking billions of dollars. We’re pleased to be able to help in some small way, extending our long-time commitment to the communities we serve to our global neighbors as well,” said Pittman.

About PacifiCorp

PacifiCorp is one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, providing approximately 1.6 million customers with reliable, efficient energy. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment. PacifiCorp has more than 8,400 megawatts of generation capacity from coal, hydro, gas-fired combustion turbines and renewable wind and geothermal power. PacifiCorp operates as Pacific Power in Oregon, Wyoming, Washington and California; and as Utah Power in Utah and Idaho. 

About the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning

The PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning was created and incorporated as a corporate foundation in 1988 in order to become the major channel of philanthropy for PacifiCorp, Pacific Power and Utah Power. PacificCorp and its employees have a long tradition of active involvement in the communities served by Pacific Power, including charitable contributions, sponsorships of community events and in-kind donations.

About ScottishPower

ScottishPower is an international energy company, made up of four businesses, two regulated and two competitive, serving around 6 million electricity and gas customers in the western U.S. and the U.K. In both countries, it provides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply services. In the U.S., the company’s activities also extend to coal mining and gas storage/hub services, and, in the U.K., the supply of gas to customers.

About PPM Energy

PPM Energy, ScottishPower's competitive U.S. business, is engaged in wholesale energy marketing and providing services to municipal agencies, public utility districts, investor-owned utilities, producers, marketer / traders and others. PPM Energy is involved in many renewable energy projects aimed at building a balanced portfolio of assets. It is one of the largest providers of wind energy in the U.S. and extended its operations to include gas storage in early 2001.