Purchase (or Generate) Renewable Energy
About 42% of the electricity consumed in Oregon comes from burning coal, a huge source of global warming pollution. There is great potential in the Pacific Northwest to shift to renewable, climate-friendly energy sources, such as solar, wind and geothermal. Many individuals and businesses are already purchasing a green power product from their utility, thus supporting increased development of renewable energy sources. Usually this means paying a slightly higher price per kilowatt-hour to support an increased percentage of renewable sources or buying discrete kilowatt-hour blocks of renewable energy. Greater reliance on renewable energy provides not only environmental benefits, but also economic and national security benefits.
Renewable Northwest Project provides a complete list of Utilities in Oregon offering Green Power Programs to business consumers. Through Renewable Northwest Project’s Northwest Clean Energy Challenge you can receive public recognition for purchasing green power.
The Bonneville Environmental Foundation is a local provider of renewable energy certificates, called Green Tags, to replace traditional polluting sources of electricity. Green Tags support the development of renewable energy on our power grids; solar power systems for schools and public buildings; wind power systems for farms, ranches and communities; and watershed restoration to improve water quality and native fish habitat.
If you are interested in generating your own green power, Energy Trust of Oregon provides technical and cash assistance to business that want to install solar electricity and/or solar-powered water heating systems.
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