Climate Change Awareness
EPUD has joined a growing number of utilities across the United States expressing their concern over climate change and it's relation to CO2 emissions caused by coal-fired power plants. In January 2008, the EPUD Board of Directors passed a resolution which stated in part that "Emerald has a tradition of environmental and energy efficiency leadership, and believes climate change is a serious problem." The Board also adopted the policy that future power purchases, which are greater than 2007 purchases, will be acquired through conservation and renewable energy. If power needs cannot be met this way, carbon offsets will be purchased which correspond to those additional power purchases.
EPUD Board and staff have also taken part in the University of Oregon's Eugene-Springfield Energy and Resource Challenge and Emerald is a current sponsor for the UO Climate Masters Initiative. EPUD believes that climate change is a serious problem and that solutions include political (Cap and Trade/Carbon Tax) as well as individual efforts. EPUD currently offers 100% and 50% Wind Power Programs to its customers for less than a cent more per kWh than traditional hydropower. Solar electric incentives are also available for residential and business customers seeking to go solar. EPUD completed a 15.3 Kilowatt PV system on the roof of our headquarters in 2007, becoming the first utility in the area to go solar. (Link to KVAL Video)
EPUD was the first utility in the Northwest to purchase renewable resources from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, chaired by Senator Mark Hatfield. The power is supplied from various sources around the region, including wind and small hydroelectric "fish-friendly" generation facilities.
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