July 14, 2010

HILLSBORO, Ore.  — The City of Hillsboro has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an EPA Green Power Community, becoming the 14th community in Oregon and 30^th in the nation to receive the designation. The federal agency extends the honor to communities that show their commitment to environmental sustainability by purchasing renewable energy in amounts that meet or exceed EPA purchase requirements.

Mayor Jerry Willey will accept the honor on behalf of the citizens at the Hillsboro City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 20 at 7 p.m.in the Hillsboro Civic Center Auditorium. The city will also celebrate the achievement at the “Celebrate Hillsboro” community event on Saturday, July 24.

Mayor Willey also will announce the results of Hillsboro’s Green Power Challenge. Hillsboro business and residential electricity customers have surpassed the Hillsboro Green Power Challenge goal of 300 new renewable power sign-ups set by the Hillsboro City Council. The community-wide challenge, announced in March, resulted in 731 new sign-ups for renewable energy from PGE. In total, more than 680 residential customers and 51 local Hillsboro business customers signed up for PGE’s Renewable Power program during the Challenge. The city and the utility created the challenge to encourage more use and awareness of environmentally sustainable power.

"The green power challenge is a demonstration of our community’s commitment to sustainability," said Mayor Willey. "The results far exceeded our goal, which underscores that commitment."

As part of the recognition, Hillsboro has received two colorful street signs from EPA reading: “Welcome to a Green Power Community. We exceed EPA guidelines for buying clean, renewable energy,” which will be posted in the community and will be on display at the July 20 city council meeting and the July 24 Celebrate Hillsboro event.

 “The residents and businesses of Hillsboro more than doubled their goal for new sign ups, which is unprecedented for a PGE green power challenge,”   said Thor Hinckley, manager, PGE renewable power program. “It is clear that Hillsboro is a leader in joining together to create a sustainable community. We commend them for showing their environmental commitment.”

Hillsboro’s green power purchase reduces an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with more than 3,500 passenger cars annually, according to U.S. EPA estimates. More than 2,634 residences and businesses in Hillsboro are currently enrolled in one of PGE’s renewable energy programs.

How to sign up for the green power
Hillsboro residential and small business customers who want to continue to buy renewable power from PGE can enroll by visiting www.GreenPowerOregon.com. Medium and large business customers should visit www.PortlandGeneral.com/CleanWind. All customers can call (503)228-6322.

            There are more than 74,000 PGE customers participating in PGE’s renewable options program.