Have a small renewable-energy project? Rocky Mountain Power will fund it
The Salt Lake Tribune
Rocky Mountain Power has some cash and is looking for a few good renewable-energy projects.
Beginning next week the utility will accept applications to fund small, community-based solar, wind and low-impact hydro projects -- undertakings it hopes can be used to help educate the public on the benefits of renewable energy while producing electricity.
The company has given support for such projects under its Blue Sky program since 2006, said spokesman Dave Eskelsen.
Under the Blue Sky program, consumers pay a premium on their monthly bill -- $1.95 for each 100 kilowatt-hour block of Blue Sky energy they buy -- so they can be assured that they are supporting the production of electricity from renewable resources.
When a customer commits to buying a certain amount of renewable energy, Rocky Mountain Power promises that a similar quantity of electricity generated from wind farms or other renewable resources will be put onto the regional distribution grid.
Last year the company provided $837,000 in funding generated by this program to 13 renewable-energy projects in Utah. The awards ranged from $20,000 to $169,000. They included the following:
- Ogden City » a 20-kilowatt low-impact hydro project
- Weber State University, Davis campus » a 12-kilowatt solar project
- Christ United Methodist Church, Salt Lake City » a 22.14-kilowatt solar project
- South Salt Lake Columbus Center » a 47.9-kilowatt solar project
- Planned Parenthood, Orem » a 2.5-kilowatt solar project
- Grand County Public Library, Moab » a 10-kilowatt solar project
Sarah Wright, of Utah Clean Energy, which worked with Rocky Mountain Power in developing its Blue Sky initiative, said the small, community-based projects are an important resource for those committed to continued development of renewable energy.
"I believe the presence of those projects out in the community help people get comfortable with the idea of using renewable resources to generate electricity," she said.
Eligible renewable-energy projects include initiatives that use technologies that support the production of wind, solar, biomass, wave, landfill gas, low-impact hydro and geothermal energy, according to a company statement.
Funding, though, will not be provided for "off-grid" projects, those operated by private individuals.
How can I learn more?
Go to www.rockymountainpower.net/bluesky, or call 1-800-769-3717
