PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland General Electric customers are leading the way nationally in renewable power. With 174,000 customers voluntarily participating in its Green FutureSMprogram, PGE has the largest participation in a renewables program of any U.S. utility, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
This marks the ninth consecutive year PGE has received NREL’s No. 1 ranking for number of business and residential renewable power customers enrolled, and sixth consecutive year for the most megawatt hours of renewable energy sold at 1.8 million MWh.
“Our customers continue to demonstrate that Oregon is leading the way to a clean energy future,” said Carol Dillin, vice president, customer strategies and business development, PGE. “We’re grateful that 20 percent of our customers choose renewable energy to power their homes and businesses.”
PGE began its renewable power program in 1999. As part of the program, participating customers automatically contribute to PGE’s Renewable Development Fund. To date, PGE Green Future customers have helped fund more than 8 Megawatts of new renewable energy generation, with another 3 Megawatts under construction. Funded projects include solar and biogas projects at the Oregon Zoo and Zenger Farm.
Green Mountain Energy Company assists PGE in connecting customers with its Green Future program; and 3Degrees supplies PGE with the renewable power for these voluntary options.