October 1, 2003 (Ashland, Ore.) — Ashland residents and businesses now have the choice to support local and regional green power by participating in “Renewable Pioneers,” a program developed by the City of Ashland and the nonprofit Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). Participating in Renewable Pioneers helps Ashland homes and businesses support renewable energy projects such as the brand new solar system at the Wilderness Charter School, which was made possible by this unique new program.

Dick Wanderscheid, Ashland’s Electric & Telecommunications Director, explains why Renewable Pioneers is special: “Not many renewable energy programs can point to local generation resources developed through customer support for the program, but we can do this in Ashland. When residents and businesses participate in Renewable Pioneers, they are directly supporting local renewable energy. The Civic Center and Wilderness Charter School are great examples.”

Russ Chapman, co-owner of Ashland Sanitary Service and Lisa Black, Recycling Coordinator for the company, signed up for the program because it offers an easy way to connect sustainable principles with tangible results. "The Renewable Pioneers program is a great way to change the power generated in this region from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy. It's a good business and environmental decision," said Chapman.

Residents and businesses can participate in Renewable Pioneers by purchasing Green Tags directly from BEF. Buying Green Tags supports clean wind power and reduces the emission of CO2, a harmful pollutant and greenhouse gas. Purchasing one Green Tag creates a reduction in CO2 emissions approximately equal to not driving a car for six weeks!

BEF created the market for Green Tags in the Pacific Northwest to make it easier for homes and businesses to voluntarily support renewable energy. A portion of BEF’s revenues from Green Tag purchases by Ashland residents and businesses returns to the City of Ashland to fund solar projects such as the solar system at the Wilderness Charter School.

Renewable Pioneers participants will not see any changes in their utility bill, as the purchase of Green Tags from BEF is a separate transaction. The Renewable Pioneers program replaces the former green power product option for Ashland, the Solar Pioneers program.

About BEF & the City of Ashland
Since 1998, BEF has provided funding and staff time for several projects that have helped Ashland develop renewable energy resources within the city. These projects include solar systems at the Shakespeare Festival, Southern Oregon University, and the Civic Center. At the time they were built, the solar installations at these three sites constituted the largest solar power plant in the Pacific Northwest.

The Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established in 1998 to further the development and use of new renewable energy resources. Through revenues generated from the sales of green power products, BEF funds projects that restore damaged watersheds and support new renewable energy projects from solar, wind and biomass. BEF pioneered the sale of Green Tags in 2000 and has helped establish national standards for certification and trading. Created by regional environmental groups and the Bonneville Power Administration, the Foundation operates collaboratively with but independent of both.

About Green Tags
Green Tags are certificates that represent the environmental benefits from a specific amount of electricity from a wind turbine, solar panel or other renewable energy source. When non-polluting energy displaces energy produced from burning fossil fuels, there is a corresponding savings in greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide) that is captured as the Green Tag.

BEF’s Green Tags are certified by Green-e (www.green-e.org) and designated Climate Cool by the Climate Neutral Network as having a net zero impact on the climate while also displacing fossil fuel generated electricity and approximately 1,400 pounds of CO2 emissions per Green Tag (www.climateneutral.com). The new renewable energy resources that produce BEF’s Green Tags are certified by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Renewable Northwest Project and the Northwest Energy Coalition.

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