Aloft Portland Airport at Cascade Station Books Strong Renewable Energy Commitment with Blue Sky
August 23, 2010
PORTLAND, Ore. – Your green experience at the Aloft Portland Airport at Cascade Station, a hotel built by local developer Harold Pollin, begins with your first glimpse of this new hotel: green lawn, special priority parking spots for hybrid vehicles and a fleet of bikes lined up by the front door.
Inside the hotel, the sustainability vibe continues with a highly energy efficient design that is now complemented by a strong commitment to renewable energy through Pacific Power’s award-winning Blue Sky program.
“Eco-stewardship is deeply rooted in the Aloft Portland philosophy, and energy efficiency is an integral part of that stewardship,” says David Porter, general manager of this new and innovative brand by Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “We’re proud to be a part of Pacific Power’s innovative Blue Sky program, and believe that our guests will value this partnership as well.”
Aloft is purchasing 107 blocks per month through Blue Sky renewable energy. The Blue Sky enrollment has tangible environmental benefits. Over the course of a year, Aloft’s commitment is equivalent to avoiding putting 78 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and has the environmental equivalent of not driving nearly 159,000 miles.
Blue Sky renewable energy comes from new wind projects. These facilities help offset emissions from traditional generation sources and stimulate even more investment in new renewable generation facilities.
“Leading by example is the best possible way to encourage support for renewable energy,” said Pat Egan, Pacific Power vice president of customer and community affairs. “Blue Sky provides an easy, accessible way for customers to make a difference. We also think Blue Sky is good for business, because customers are starting to request or choose to spend their dollars with businesses that are using sustainable practices, and particularly renewable energy, like Blue Sky.”
Customers have a range of options when it comes to buying Blue Sky renewable energy: Blue Sky Block, Usage or Habitat. Large business customers can buy renewable power in bulk at a discount through the Blue Sky QS program. Whichever option they choose, Blue Sky allows customers to support renewable resources for as little as $1.95 per month. Participation in any of these plans is optional, and customers can change their level of participation or withdraw at any time. Pacific Power customers who want to learn more about which option is best for them may call Pacific Power at 800-769-3717 or visit www.pacificpower.net/bluesky.
About Blue Sky
Strong customer support has enabled the Blue Sky program to be instrumental in the creation of more federally recognized Green Power Communities than any other program in the nation. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has ranked Blue Sky fifth or better in the nation for the eighth consecutive year in the number of customers buying renewable power and for renewable power sales volume. The program is Green-e Energy Certified, which means the renewable energy supported meets the rigorous national environmental and consumer-protection standards established by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. For more information on Green-e Energy, visit www.green-e.org/energy. More than 39,000 customers in the Northwest are part of Blue Sky.
About Pacific Power
In 2010, Pacific Power celebrates 100 years serving customers and communities. From our beginnings -- serving 7,000 customers in four Northwest communities -- Pacific Power now provides electric service to almost 730,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. Our goal is to provide our customers with value for their energy dollar, and safe, reliable electricity, for another 100 years. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 1.7 million customers in six western states. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net.
About Aloft Hotels
Created to shake up the staid, traditional select service segment of the hotel industry, the Aloft brand delivers style at a steal with urban-influenced, modern, open and vibrant design -- and a social guest experience -- at an affordable price point. In the same way that W Hotels broke through the clutter of conformity in the upscale hotel arena a decade ago, Aloft is shaking up the industry for the next generation of traveler. Aloft hotels are geared toward savvy, design-conscious consumers who grew up with the democratization of design. With 40 hotels open in the 18 months since Aloft first arrived on the scene and 10 more opening in 2010, Aloft can be found everywhere from Abu Dhabi and Baltimore to Dallas and Beijing and everywhere in between. For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,000 properties in nearly 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.