ALBANY, Ore. — This year’s Albany downtown Christmas display will shimmer a little greener thanks to Blue Sky renewable energy from Pacific Power.

Pacific Power is providing 1,000 kilowatt-hours of Blue Sky renewable energy to offset the power used by this year’s Albany downtown Christmas display. This amount of green power has the same environmental benefit as planting 196 trees or not driving 2,142 miles.

"While Pacific Power already buys renewable energy for its system, Blue Sky gives customers a chance to help bring even more green power on-line," said Doris Johnston, regional community manager for Pacific Power. Enrollment in Blue Sky is optional, and customers can increase their participation or withdraw at any time.

Pacific Power customers also can celebrate the holiday season by greening their own homes and businesses. Buying just one, 100-kilowatt-hour increment of Blue Sky Block costs only $1.95 per month. Customers can buy as many blocks as they wish. Oregon customers also can choose Blue Sky Usage (by which customers offset all of their energy usage with renewable resources for slightly more per month) or Blue Sky Habitat (by which customers buy renewable energy, plus make a donation to The Nature Conservancy of Oregon to preserve native fish habitat). Large customers can buy renewable power in bulk at a discount through Blue Sky QS.

"No matter which option customers choose, buying Blue Sky renewable energy makes a substantial contribution to the environment," Johnston said.

Customers can sign up for Blue Sky renewable power by calling Pacific Power at 800-769-3717 or by visitingwww.pacificpower.net/bluesky . Currently, about 25,000 Oregonians are enrolled in one of the four options.

Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program is one of the most popular green power programs in the country, ranking second in the nation in customer sign-ups and third in the amount of green energy purchased, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Media inquiries:newsdesk@pacificorp.com