MOAB, Utah — The Moab Times-Independent today announced a large boost to the community’s EPA Green Power Community Partner goal by offsetting 100 percent of its electricity use with Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky wind power.

“Moab has been working to achieve this national EPA award for a year now and we want to be part of the effort,” explained Adrien Taylor, Times-Independent editor. “We know the additional amount we pay goes toward the development of cleaner power sources.”

Blue Sky gives customers a way to grow the demand for wind energy and to take advantage of its environmental benefits. It is sold by Rocky Mountain Power in 100-kilowatt-hour block increments for $1.95 each, in addition to a customer’s regular monthly electric bill.

If the Moab community purchases 3 percent of its energy from renewable sources – the equivalent of 2,455 blocks of Blue Sky – it will receive national recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency as the first EPA Green Power Community Partner in the nation.

The community is close to its goal: Moab is now linking 2 percent of its energy use to renewable energy through Blue Sky, which is 68 percent of goal, with 1,668 blocks purchased.

The Times-Independent’s purchase of 21 blocks (2,100 kilowatt-hours) of Blue Sky each month moves Moab closer to the national achievement. It also contributes a substantial environmental benefit, as 21 blocks over a year has the same impact of not driving a car 54,000 miles or planting 10 acres of trees. The Times-Independent’s Blue Sky purchase is equivalent to the amount of energy used by 3.5 average homes each month.

Moab established two goals over a year ago – one to reach 5 percent customer participation in Blue Sky, and the aforementioned goal of linking 3 percent of the energy used by the community to renewables.

Sarah Wright, Director of Utah Clean Energy, has been working with city officials for a year to enroll businesses and residential customers in Blue Sky.

“I’m impressed by how well this community is working together to create change and bring more clean energy into our system,” she said. “Beyond their local efforts, Moab is inspiring communities around the nation to take the lead in the promotion of sustainable energy. I’ve been contacted by towns in Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin and Georgia about how to create community challenges for renewable power.”

In Utah, three communities are already following Moab’s example: Salt Lake City, Park City and Sundance.

Since the Moab challenge was announced, customer signups have doubled: 448 residential customers and 65 businesses have exceeded the goal of signing up 5 percent of the community. Today, 10 percent of Moab is enrolled in Blue Sky.

According to Rocky Mountain Power, enrolling in Blue Sky is easy and has long-reaching benefits.

“Buying one block of Blue Sky has the impact of not driving more than 2,500 miles or planting almost half an acre of trees,” said Carol Hunter, Rocky Mountain Power vice president. “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.”

Moab’s community efforts will culminate in early November at the Moab Folk festival where the community will be recognized by EPA as the First in the Nation – EPA Green Power Community. The festival’s energy use will be offset by Blue Sky wind power.

“Moab’s leadership has set the stage for other communities around the country, but there can only be one first,” said Wright. “Given the enthusiasm and dedication of the community volunteers working on this project, I’m confident that they will meet their goal.”

To enroll in Blue Sky, call 1-800-842-8458 or e-mail bluesky@pacificorp.com . Customers also can sign up on line at www.rockymtnpower.net/bluesky

Large businesses can take advantage of bulk purchase discounts of renewable power with the new Blue Sky QS program. Blue Sky QS (Quantity Savings) allows Rocky Mountain Power’s commercial customers to buy renewable power for less, providing they purchase at least 101 blocks of Blue Sky per month for a year.

About Blue Sky

Rocky Mountain Power launched Blue Sky in 2000 to give customers a choice in how their energy is produced, and to allow them a part in creating demand for renewable energy resources. The program provides Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, California and Washington customers the opportunity to buy renewable energy in 100-kilowatt-hour block increments, in addition to their regular monthly electric bill, for $1.95 per block. Blue Sky ranks in the U.S. Department of Energy’s top five utility green pricing programs in customer participation and amount of green power sold.

About Utah Clean Energy

Utah Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization committed to a sustainable energy future through the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency technologies. The Utah Wind Power Campaign, a core project of Utah Clean Energy is a community-based marketing strategy that drives market demand for clean energy from the ground up. Utah Clean Energy works in partnership with Rocky Mountain Power and encourages everyone to take advantage of the clean power choice provided by the Blue Sky program. For more information call (801) 673-7156 or visit www.utahcleanenergy.org .
Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com