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Dayton Takes On Renewable Energy Challenge
The Blue Sky Community Challenge is underway in Dayton and runs through November's Christmas Kickoff celebration. The Challenge gives electricity consumers in Dayton the opportunity to encourage production of renewable energy.
Above: Lisa Ronnberg, Bill Clemens and Mayor Craig George; Center Photo: Jenna Bicknell
The City of Dayton and the Dayton Chamber of Commerce have joined with Pacific Power to launch the "Blue Sky Community Challenge". "Our goal is to be the first city in Washington to become a Pacific Power "Green Power Community," says Dayton Chamber of Commerce Director Lisa Ronnberg. The group hopes to reach the goal by Dayton's Christmas Kickoff celebration in late November.
Ronnberg says that there are two requirements for Dayton to become a Green Power Community. First, the city government must purchase blocks equal to 6% of its average power usage. The Dayton City Council passed a resolution in May to purchase 78 blocks of renewable energy beginning in 2010. The second requirement is that blocks of renewable energy must be purchased equal to at least 3% of the total electricity usage in the city.
Blue Sky is sold in 100 kilowatt-hour block increments for $1.95 per month. Business customers can receive a discounted price for large purchases. Program organizers say that the 3% goal will be reached when a total of 976 blocks are sold to Dayton power customers.
In 2008, customer funds for Blue Sky Blockprogram were allocated as follows:
According to Bill Clemens, Pacific Power's regional community manager, the Blue Sky program allows Pacific Power customers to support wind facilities in the region and other renewable energy resources, including community-based projects. "When a customer enrolls in Blue Sky, Pacific Power purchases renewable energy credits on behalf of the customers from wind energy facilities in the region," he says. "This guarantees that electricity from these renewable resources is delivered into the regional power pool and helps drive more renewable energy development in the region."
Blue Sky funds also help support the development of smaller projects in local communities that can include wind, solar, geothermal, low-emission biomass or other certified renewable energy sources. A list of projects that have received Blue Sky funds is shown at right.
Clemens says that all of the Blue Sky Challenge money received is put into a special fund used to purchase and promote renewable energy. "Pacific Power makes no profit from this program." The chart at right shows the breakdown of how Blue Sky funds are used.
"Dayton has been reaping the benefits of the renewable energy industry for several years now," says Mayor Craig George. "It's important for us to demonstrate our commitment to the future of renewable energy and the benefits it provides."
Jenna Bicknell
Jenna Bicknell, of Dayton, has been hired as the Outreach Coordinator for the Blue Sky Challenge Program. "For the rest of the year I will be meeting with business owners and local residents to encourage them to take part in the program," she says.
According to Clemens, the Blue Sky Challenge is overseen by Washington's Public Utilities Commission and is audited annually as part of Pacific Power's compliance with the Green-e Energy certification program.
"We all enjoy the benefits of our electrical service," says Ronnberg. "But there are environmental consequences, and the Blue Sky Challenge is a great way for us to do a little to reduce those consequences."
Examples of Community-based Renewable Energy Projects Funded by the Blue Sky Program in 2008
Solar Energy installation at Whitman College in Walla Walla.
23 kwSolar energy installation at City of Pendleton Waste Water Treatment Plant. 200 kw
Solar energy installation at Westside Elementary, Bend, OR 40 kw
Wind for Schools program in Astoria, Wasco, Lincoln City, Moro and Grass Valley, OR, 12.7 kwGeothermal installation at Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Falls. 150 kw