Colvin Engineering Associates Inc., a local mechanical engineering firm, is melding its environmental philosophy with its power purchases by becoming a Visionary partner in Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program.

“We feel that our participation in the Blue Sky program is very compatible with our commitment to sustainable, energy efficient buildings,” said Thomas D. Colvin, president of Colvin Engineering Associates, Inc.

By purchasing 64 blocks of Blue Sky each month, Colvin Engineering is edging the city closer towards its challenge goal of doubling the number of participants in Blue Sky. In June 2004, Mayor Anderson launched Salt Lake City’s Blue Sky Community Challenge, which aims to make Salt Lake City "Twice as Nice," by doubling the city's Blue Sky participation rate.

“Enrolling in the Blue Sky program is the best way for community members to show their support for clean, renewable energy in Utah," said Lisa Romney, Environmental Advisor to the Mayor.

Blue Sky is sold in fixed, 100-kilowatt hour block increments for an additional $1.95 per block per month. Enrollment is optional and customers can increase their participation or withdraw at any time.

Colvin Engineering Associates, Inc., is a 20-person mechanical engineering firm based in Salt Lake City since 1986. It provides professional engineering services to owners, architects and industries as well as governmental agencies.

“Energy conservation, simplicity and indoor air quality have always been prime considerations in our design of mechanical systems,” Colvin said. “We have designed numerous retrofits as well as new buildings that are not only energy efficient, but also affordable and constructable.”

For a firm of moderate size, Colvin’s Blue Sky purchase has a significant environmental impact: Over a year, its 64 blocks of Blue Sky per month will offset 12,800 tons of carbon dioxide, which is the same as not driving a car 13,712 miles or planting 2.5 acres of trees.

While Rocky Mountain Power already buys renewable energy for its customers, Blue Sky brings even more wind power into the system and encourages wind farm development. Park City, Moab, and Sundance each have issued similar community challenges.

More about Colvin Engineering Associates Inc.

Colvin’s project experience includes all types of educational, institutional, commercial, recreational, housing and manufacturing facilities. It provides services that include the analysis, design and commissioning of HVAC, plumbing, process piping, CFD modeling, fire protection/smoke control systems and environmental quality/pollution controls.

Many of Colvin’s designs have won awards for innovation and conservation.  The South Towne Expo Center saves the owner more than $93,000 per year vs. conventional chilled water cooling systems.  The Tax Commission building is reported as the most energy efficient building owned and operated by the State of Utah.  The Utah Department of Natural Resources Building has received several awards and been featured in architectural/engineering publications, including an Efficient Building award from Energy User News, and a Certificate of Recognition from the State of Utah for excellence in the successful delivery of a quality facility. The One Utah Center received an ASHRAE Technology Award (1st Place in international competition) for achievement in the design and operation of energy-efficient buildings.

Visit Colvin Engineering's Web site