Why Green
Power?
 Environmentally
Preferred Power (EPP), also called Green Power, is electricity that is
produced from renewable energy that comes from the wind, sun and other
natural sources.
EPP makes an environmental difference in two important ways. It
supports the higher cost of new cleaner technologies and the rest is
invested in providing more renewable projects here in the Pacific
Northwest. Both the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the
Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) actively invest their EPP
revenues in new renewable projects. Here are some examples:
- 140 megawatts of new wind projects in the region making the
Northwest the largest producer of wind energy in the United States
- White Bluffs Solar Station, the region’s largest solar plant
with 40 kilowatts of photovoltaics
- Community solar projects in Wenatchee, Orcas Island and Ashland,
OR
BEF, a non-profit organization that works in collaboration with but
independently from BPA, also invests in smaller scale projects. These
include solar stock watering programs that use solar energy to operate
water pumps at remote locations keeping livestock away from streambeds.
During the next year, BEF has pledged support for a Solar in Schools
program, combining new solar installations with an educational
curriculum for high schools and community colleges.
Half of the EPP comes from new wind farms located in Washington,
Oregon and Wyoming. The remainder is hydroelectric power from Packwood
Lake and Idaho Falls, which are categorized as low-impact hydro for
having minimal impact on fish and watersheds. These projects have all
been endorsed by the Renewable Northwest Project, Natural Resources
Defense Council and Northwest Energy Coalition.
We assure you that investing in EPP is making a difference – now
and for the future. Thank you for making a commitment to energy that is
good for the environment and that is an important source of energy in
the years to come.
Bonneville
Environmental Foundation
133 SW 2nd Avenue, Suite 410
Portland, OR 97204
503-248-1905
Top
of Page |
