Deal Positions Trail Blazers as Pacific Power’s First Blue Sky Select Program Customer.
PORTLAND, Ore. (April 17, 2018) – Two longtime partners, already banded together around renewable energy and energy efficiency, have agreed to a multi-year extension and enhancement of that relationship. And what better time to unveil the new agreement than with the backdrop of April’s annual celebration of Earth Day.
The Portland Trail Blazers and Pacific Power have reached agreement on a new partnership with BayWa r.e. that will ‘green’ 100% of the Moda Center’s electricity usage through Pacific Power with renewable energy certificates generated by wind energy produced at BayWa r.e.’s Chopin Wind Project. Located near Milton-Freewater in Umatilla County, Oregon, Chopin Wind is an operating wind facility featuring six (6) GE wind turbines with power generating capabilities of more than 31,000 megawatt-hours of energy per year.
“For the Trail Blazers and Moda Center, this marks an expansion and transformation of one of our most-valued corporate partnerships,” said Chris McGowan, President & CEO of the Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter. “Pacific Power has been key to our commitment to efficient energy use and environmental stewardship dating back to 2008. We will continue to lead by example with investments in clean energy that we hope Trail Blazers fans and other partners will emulate.”
“The Trail Blazers have been helping Pacific Power lead the way towards the clean energy future that we all want for many years,” said Stefan Bird, President & CEO of Pacific Power. “This new milestone marks a first as Pacific Power is able to help the Trail Blazers support clean energy from a specific wind project right here in Oregon, the BayWa r.e. Chopin Wind project out near Milton-Freewater. The Trail Blazers challenged us to help them do more, and today we have delivered on that challenge.”
Under the new agreement, the Trail Blazers and its venue operating company Rip City Management become the first entities to purchase renewable energy certificates through Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Select from a specific renewable project. The Trail Blazers will be able to reduce its carbon footprint by 9,169,364 pounds of CO2 by supporting 10,144,000 kilowatt hours of renewable energy annually.
“As an international developer of renewable energy resources, BayWa r.e. is proud to contribute to this important local partnership with our new Chopin Wind Project,” stated Florian Zerhusen, President & CEO of BayWa r.e. Wind, LLC. “BayWa r.e. developed, constructed and operates the 10MW wind facility which it placed into service in October 2016. The six GE 1.7 wind turbines are using 103m diameter rotor blades. Located in Umatilla County, Eastern Oregon, the project is directly connected into PacifiCorp power lines, supplying clean energy for decades to come.”
Fan engagement and community outreach will be visible pillars in the new relationship, with Pacific Power as the presenting partner for the “Energy Game” during the 2018-19 season’s annual series of league-wide NBA Green Games. Pacific Power will also launch a new consumer-friendly website www.poweringgreatness.com featuring the excitement of Trail Blazers basketball and the passion of Trail Blazers fans.
About BayWa r.e.
The international trading conglomerate BayWa AG pools all of its renewable energy activities in its subsidiary BayWa r.e. (renewable energy), which is predominately active in the wind and solar industries. Headquartered in Munich since inception in 1923, BayWa AG is a publicly traded company generating an estimated annual revenue of 15 billion Euros and employs over 17,000 individuals across its three core segments: Agriculture, Building Materials and Energy. With over 1,000 employees working in BayWa r.e. globally, the group has developed and constructed over 1.7GW and actively provides asset management for over 2GW. BayWa r.e. acquires, develops, constructs and operates renewable energy projects as well as distributing PV components on a wholesale basis. BayWa r.e. Wind, LLC is responsible for the groups North American activities in the wind sector. The company has been active in the U.S. since 2001 and was acquired by BayWa AG in 2011.
About Pacific Power
Customers are at the center of Pacific Power’s drive to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy. Pacific Power serves more 740,000 customers in 240 communities Oregon, Washington and California and is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 1.9 million customers in six western states. For over a century, we have been dedicated to helping customers and communities thrive. We work to protect and enhance the environment by conserving natural resources, reducing emissions, and protecting wildlife and habitat. We shape forward-thinking policies and innovative solutions to improve the livability of customers’ hometowns and neighborhoods. We take pride in being an active member in the communities we serve, always striving to make the place our customers call home a better place to live. Pacific Power’s blue sky voluntary program allows users to support sustainable and renewable energy. For more information about Pacific Power, visit https://www.pacificpower.net
About the Portland Trail Blazers
Members of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Portland Trail Blazers were founded in 1970 and purchased by Paul G. Allen in 1988. The team's rich heritage includes 33 playoff appearances, three trips to the NBA Finals, an NBA championship in 1977 and a commitment to community service and sustainability. The Trail Blazers are dedicated to positively impacting underserved kids and their families throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington where they live, learn and play. Portland is the first and only professional sports franchise to receive the prestigious National Points of Light Award for excellence in corporate and community service. The Trail Blazers home arena, the Moda Center, earned LEED Gold Recertification in 2015 after becoming the first existing professional sports venue in the world to receive LEED Gold status in 2010. The team is also one of the founding members of the Green Sports Alliance. For more information, visit www.trailblazers.com.
