Q. Am I really making a difference by participating in the program?

By making a choice to buy Blue Sky renewable energy, customers are not only helping to grow the renewable energy supply, they also are advancing the construction of new smaller-scale, community-based projects that might not otherwise be built. Several projects have been completed and a number of others are being developed. To find out more, go to www.rockymountainpower.net/blueskyfunds.

 In addition, Blue Sky customers are helping to get the first commercial Utah wind project off the ground in Spanish Fork – which is scheduled to go on-line in mid-2008.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, customer choice programs are proving to be a powerful stimulus for growth in renewable energy supply. That organization recently published its 2007 Top 10 ranking of green pricing programs, and Blue Sky ranks third or better in the nation for the fourth consecutive year in the number of customers buying renewable energy and renewable energy sales volume.

 Q. How will the renewable energy I purchase through the Blue Sky program be delivered to my home or business?

Because of the way the power system works, electricity from a specific facility or source does not flow directly to a specific customer. However, we guarantee that renewable energy credits in the exact amount you sign up to buy through Blue Sky is purchased on your behalf from newly developed facilities in the western United States, creating measurable environmental benefits. No changes to your home, business or electric meter are required.

 Q. Where does my money go?

All the money from the Blue Sky program is used to purchase renewable energy credits from regional renewable energy facilities and cover the costs of the program (including customer education efforts like this letter). Money is also used to create funding awards for renewable energy projects in our service area. 

 Q. How do I know I’m getting what I pay for?

Blue Sky is overseen by your state’s public utility commission. Rocky Mountain Power does not profit from offering this option to you. In addition, Blue Sky is Green-e Energy Certified by the Center for Resource Solutions. For information, please visit www.green-e.org.

 Q. Where is the renewable energy for the Blue Sky program generated?

Renewable energy associated with the Blue Sky program comes from newly developed wind resources in the region. Blue Sky purchases help increase demand for renewable energy generation. Purchases have been made from facilities in Wyoming, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Information on these facilities can be found at www.rockymountainpower.net/bluesky.

 Q. What is Rocky Mountain Power doing to help?

In addition to Blue Sky customer purchases, Rocky Mountain Power is actively increasing the amount of renewable energy in its mix of resources used to generate electricity. The company is making progress toward its target of adding 2,000 megawatts of new, cost-effective renewable resources by 2013, enough to power more than 300,000 typical homes. Rocky Mountain Power generates or purchases renewable energy from several new wind facilities in the West and a geothermal plant in Utah as part of our energy resource mix. In addition, the company is in the process of constructing and permitting several wind energy projects in Wyoming.

To learn more, visit www.rockymountainpower.net/environment.