SALT LAKE CITY – Red Rock Brewing Company has been serving up award winning beers alongside a fresh innovative menu since opening its doors in 1994 and, for the past year, has been greening its operations using Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky wind energy.  

“Buying Blue Sky is something we can do to help conserve our natural resources,” said Kevin Templin, Red Rock’s head brewer. “Many of our employees are stoked about our use of wind power, and more businesses are becoming aware of the increasing effect that our over-usage of resources is having on our environment, our climate, our air quality and our health.”

Red Rock, located in the heart of downtown just steps away from the Delta Center and the Salt Palace, is buying 44 blocks (or 44,000 kilowatt-hours) of Blue Sky renewable energy from Rocky Mountain Power each month. During the course of a year, Red Rock’s purchase has a big impact, offsetting 53 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, which has the environmental benefit of planting 21 acres of trees or not driving more than 113,000 miles.

Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky program gives customers a way to increase the demand for clean, renewable wind energy and to take advantage of its environmental benefits. It is sold in 100 kilowatt-hour increments, called blocks, for $1.95 per block per month in addition to a customer's regular bill. Wind is an attractive form of energy generation because it helps reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Enrollment is optional, and customers can increase their participation or withdraw at any time.

For more information or to sign up for Blue Sky, call 800-842-8458 or e-mail   bluesky@pacificorp.com . Customers can sign up online at www.rockymtnpower.net/bluesky .

In addition to buying renewable power, Red Rock contributes to the environment by donating goods and services to organizations that preserve land, conduct research and help others. The brewery also has examined ways to green the way it makes beer. “Our brewing process uses diatomaceous earth in the filtering process,” said Templin. He explained that diatomaceous earth is a natural, nontoxic mineral compound composed of the microscopic skeletal remains of diatoms (small algae-like plants). This product is also used by some farmers to control pests and is harmless to animals, fish, fowl or food. Red Rock also donates its used barley and grains to the local organic farmer, which helps recycle the product back into the earth instead of having it go to waste.

About Red Rock Brewing Company

Red Rock opened its second location in the Redstone Center located in Kimball Junction in January 2005. With the opening of its second location, beer production has been on a constant rise. Red Rock’s brewers brought home many beer awards in 2006, including two silver medals at the World Beer Cup, and three gold, one silver and one bronze at the Mountain Brewer’s Beer Festival.

More about Rocky Mountain Power and Blue Sky

Rocky Mountain Power is Utah’s largest electric utility, providing safe, reliable and low-cost electric service to about 740,000 customers in the state. The United States Department of Energy ranked Rocky Mountain Power's Blue Sky program second in the nation for customers enrolled in a renewable-power program and third in the amount of renewable power sold. In Utah, more than 18,200 residential and business customers participate. More than 46,500 customers buy Blue Sky in the Western United States.

Media inquiries:newsdesk@pacificorp.com