Green EPUD

EPUD strives to be a practical example of what we recommend to our customer-owners and communities. Here are just a few examples of "green" EPUD:

Solar In Schools

Emerald has installed 1 KW Photovoltaic (PV) systems on all four of its high schools located in Elmira, Marcola, Cottage Grove and Pleasant Hill. All of the PV systems come with an educational curriculum developed in conjunction with the University of Oregon’s Regional Solar Radiation Data Center. Students are able to access their PV systems on a “real time” basis though a monitoring system which is web-based. The PV systems serve both as an educational tool and a power provider to the schools.

Emerald PV System

In 2007 Emerald became the first utility in Lane County to install a PV system on its headquarters when it installed a 15.2 KW PV system on its main building, 33733 Seavey Loop Rd. The system produces about 17,500 KWH per year of electricity, offsetting the needs of the building. There is a monitoring kiosk located in the front lobby which shows details of the system as well as the system output on a daily, monthly and yearly basis. (Click here for KVAL Video)

EPUD Building

Read about EPUD's award-winnding building HERE.

Hybrid Vehicles

Emerald purchased two hybrid vehicles in 2007, a Toyota Camry and a Toyota Prius. The purchase of these two hybrid vehicles has resulted in a net decrease of approximately 17,500 lbs of CO2 per year being emitted into the atmosphere when compared to the non-hybrid pool cars previously owned by the utility.

Arbor Day Program

Each year Emerald visits one grade school in its District on Arbor Day and plants “Power Friendly” trees on the school grounds with 3rd grade students. Power Friendly trees grow to a height of no more than 20 feet and are recommended by the utility to customers who wish to plant trees under power lines near their homes. In addition to the tree planting, Emerald staff educate the students about energy conservation and the importance of trees to the environment. After the tree planting a pizza party is held with the class.

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 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% Green 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 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.

Climate Master Initiative

In 2008 Emerald signed on as a sponsor to the University of Oregon’s Climate Master Initiative. The initiative is a series of classes provided by the University to the public on the importance of energy conservation, recycling and other efforts to help combat climate change on an individual and household level.

Paperless Billing and E-Newsletters

Like many Utilities, EPUD promotes paperless billing, on-line bill pay and automatic payment options. EPUD also has an option to receive your newsletter via e-mail. Currently EPUD has 1500 customers participating in paperless billing which saves the utility $10,000 is printing and shipping costs per year and saves many pounds of paper and materials. Click here to sign up for paperless billing.

Avian Protection Plan

EPUD has a full avian protection plan in place to protect birds who come near or around our lines. Included in this plan are procedures to install adequate perches or deterrents on existing pole structures and build nesting platforms at sites where nests have been found or rebuilt. EPUD also insulates conductors and installs guards to prevent electrocutions.