Protecting and enhancing the environment is at the forefront of our business strategy. We believe in building an increasingly sustainable energy supply and delivery business. Our sustainable efforts include investments in:

• renewable energy generation
• air quality
• environmental education and service
• habitat protection
• waste recycling and reuse

Pacific Power is also a founding member of  Natural Step, an international network of nonprofit educational organizations dedicated to building a sustainable society.

Read more below or see the environmental section of ScottishPower's 2003/04 Environmental and Social Impact Report.

RENEWABLE ENERGY
Pacific Power has achieved national recognition for its strong commitment to renewable energy. In 2004, we received the designated Utility Leadership Award from the American Wind Energy Association for our efforts.
 
As part of our Integrated Resource Plan, we plan to add 1,400 megawatts of renewable generation ito the power system in the next 10 years. In doing so, we have made a business case for renewable power. 

Pacific Power has:

1. Supported the Federal Renewable Portfolio Standard

As a company, we were the most vigorous utility supporter of the federal renewable portfolio standard, and went on record against measures that would weaken the profitability of wind development.

2. Made wind a key component of its Integrated Resource Plan  

Pacific Power adds 1,400 mw of new wind and geothermal resources into its 10-year plan Integrated Resource Plan. However, the plan goes beyond bringing on new renewables. It assigned values to nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions in order to quantify the costs of complying with current regulations. The company also quantified future carbon emissions limits, thereby recognizing the financial risk of emitting carbon and thereby valuing zero-emission sources such as wind. In addition, Pacific Power analyzed wind integration costs, working with other groups, including AWEA, NREL, the Renewable Northwest Project and Utah Clean Energy to reach the most credible cost estimates. The work was cited extensively by wind experts as innovative utility research.

3. Helped bring new wind farms online

Pacific Power worked with The Energy Trust of Oregon  (ETO) to bring a new wind farm on line near Milton-Freewater, Ore. The 41-mw project began operation in December 2003 providing energy for about 11,900 homes.

4. Grown green pricing programs

As a company, we have 30,000 customers enrolled in our Blue Sky renewable energy options. Pacific Power ranks among the top five utilities in the country for renewable participation and sales on the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Top 10 list of “green pricing” programs.

Find out more about our renewable energy resources and our commitment to habitat protection, waste recycling and reuse.