DOE Ranks PGE No. 1 in U.S. for Number of Renewable
Power Customers
PORTLAND, Ore., May 03, 2010 -- BUSINESS WIRE
Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) has more renewable power customers
than any other utility in the United States. That's according to the
Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL),
which today released its annual rankings of the nation's top utility
green pricing programs.
At the end of 2009, PGE had nearly 73,000 business and residential
renewable customers, or 10.2 percent of its eligible customers, enrolled
in a PGE renewable power program, which is well over the national
average of 2 percent participation rate for other utilities.
This marks the first time PGE has received NREL's No. 1 ranking for
number of business and residential renewable power customers. PGE also
continues to hold NREL's top spot for selling more renewable power to
residential customers than any other utility in the United States.
"Oregon is gaining a reputation as a leader in renewable energy
resources, and PGE customers are pointing the way," said Carol Dillin,
vice president, customers and economic development, PGE. "They're making
a conscious effort to reduce their environmental impact in their homes
and businesses, and PGE is working to make it easier for them by
providing a variety of renewable power options," Dillin added.
"This elevates Oregon's status as a leader in sustainability," said Mark
Long, director of the Oregon Department of Energy. "We want to thank
everyone who has invested not only in renewable energy, but in Oregon's
future."
Separately, NREL released lists of the top 10 national Utility Green
Power Programs in five categories based on 2009 data. PGE's highlights
include:
-- Renewable Energy Sales. For the fifth consecutive year, PGE
maintained its No 1 ranking of renewable energy sales to residential
customers, and also holds the No. 2 ranking of total renewable energy
sales to residential and commercial customers combined. PGE customers
purchased nearly 741 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy in
2009, which is 9 percent more than in 2008, and equivalent to the entire
output of a 200-megawatt wind farm.
-- Customer Participation Rate: PGE moved up from the No. 3 to the No. 2
position in the nation for the percentage of customers who purchase a
renewable power option. At the end of 2009, PGE had 10.2 percent of
eligible customers purchasing a renewable power option.
NREL rankings are based on raw numbers for calendar year 2009 and are
not adjusted for the size of the utility. The full report can be
accessed at www.greenpower.energy.gov.
Green Mountain Energy Company is PGE's agent for renewable power
marketing services and supply. The company has been serving in this role
since 2001 and was recently awarded a new three-year contract from PGE.
For more information about PGE's renewable programs, visit
www.GreenPowerOregon.com.
About PGE
Portland General Electric Company, headquartered in Portland, Ore., is a
fully integrated electric utility that serves approximately 818,000
residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oregon. Visit our
website at www.PortlandGeneral.com or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pgemedia.
*Customers will not have electricity from a specific renewable
generation facility delivered directly to their homes or businesses, but
are purchasing renewable power to be delivered in their region.
SOURCE: Portland General Electric
News Provided By
|