December 17, 2003 (Portland, Ore.) — The Climate Trust of Oregon accelerated available funding for Pacific Northwest wind energy projects in a move that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions today and sends strong market signals to wind producers considering future projects and expansions of existing resources.

In a partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), the Climate Trust purchased 37,625 CO2 Offset Tags from BEF, which supports the generation of 37,625 megawatt hours of pollution-free wind power at the Condon, Stateline and Klondike wind farms located across Oregon and Washington. Generating this amount of electricity at the three state-of-the-art wind farms prevents the emission of approximately 23,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

“The bottom line is that emissions are being avoided now, and this purchase sends a powerful and positive market signal to large wind producers,” said Mike Burnett, Executive Director of the Climate Trust. “When purchases like this go though, it makes clear the significant market demand for CO2-preventing choices like wind power.”

The Climate Trust uses the CO2 Offset Tags for its “Greenhouse Gas Offset Program,” which makes it possible for power plants, organizations and individuals to support the prevention or sequestration of CO2 emissions in order to neutralize the CO2 emissions caused by their activities.

“With high-profile groups like Nike and Lewis & Clark College signing up for our offset program, we're sending a message that prominent public institutions consider CO2 emissions a problem that requires action,” added Burnett.

“We are pleased to work with the Climate Trust to reduce CO2 emissions because it makes good on our promise to improve the local community, economy and environment by connecting producers of CO2-free renewable energy with those who want to support it,” said Angus Duncan, President of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

“A purchase of this size achieves two goals,” continued Duncan. “It provides financial support for wind power operating today, which carries the benefit of CO2 prevention. It also contributes to a positive market for new development that will lead to more wind being installed in the future.”

About The Climate Trust
The Climate Trust is a nonprofit with the mission of promoting climate change solutions by providing high quality greenhouse gas offset projects and advancing sound offset policy. The Trust plays a key role in implementing Oregon's innovative carbon dioxide standard, which in 1997 became the first legislation regulating greenhouse gases nationwide. The Trust's purposes also include promoting or undertaking projects to prevent or mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases from sources other than the construction of new energy facilities in Oregon.

About BEF
The Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established in 1998 to restore watershed ecosystems and 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.

Back to Press Releases