BEF QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
JULY 2005

Green Lights’ Customers Support Three New PV Demonstration Projects

Clark Public Utilities (CPU) and BEF have teamed up to install three new public solar electric demonstration projects in the Vancouver, WA area. Funded by revenues from CPU’s voluntary green power program (Green Lights) and BEF, the PV arrays demonstrate the viability of renewable resources right here in urban areas of the Pacific Northwest. The three projects, Columbia Vista, Clark County Public Works, and CPU Operations Center, each rated at approximately 2.2 kilowatts, will generate nearly 8,000 kilowatt-hours of pollution-free electricity per year, cumulatively. The Green Tags created by the PV arrays will be included in CPU’s Green Lights program, which allows utility customers to support non-polluting, renewable energy. Revenues from Green Lights Participants will be used to purchase more Green Tags from BEF, and to fund more demonstration projects.

CPU unveiled the solar projects at an event on June 21. During this event, CPU also demonstrated its new, web-based, real-time data monitoring system commissioned from Fat Spaniel Technologies. This system maps all of CPU’s solar demonstration projects and tracks their power production. To see how the systems are performing right now, click here.

BEF's Model Watersheds Show Visible Improvement

Over a period of just three years, BEF’s Model Watershed restoration investments are already beginning to show evidence of success. “BEF’s goal has always been to infuse science and accountability into long-term watershed restoration, and we are now seeing measured results of what a long-term and comprehensive approach can accomplish,” said Todd Reeve, BEF’s director of watershed programs.

In northern Idaho’s Trout Creek, for example, monitoring has demonstrated that grazing management and streamside tree-planting efforts are rapidly improving degraded streams. Monitoring results indicate that fencing and rotational livestock grazing have allowed trees and herbaceous vegetation to quickly recolonize denuded streamside areas. According to Todd, “the stream channel in Trout Creek is becoming narrower and deeper, and the area suitable for salmon and trout spawning is increasing.” As BEF’s 10-year commitment to support watershed restoration in the lower Kootenai River continues to facilitate improvements to water quality and stream habitat, BEF expects sustained monitoring to detect and verify substantial increases in native salmon and trout populations within Trout Creek and several other nearby Model Watershed streams.

BEF "Greens" Two More Weddings

BEF Green Tags were used to green two weddings during the first half of 2005. Kari Smith and David Wooley's wedding included wine and champagne from solar-powered wineries and beer from a wind-powered brewery. Devra Bachrach and David Wang gave their guests an option to buy Green Tags as part of their online registry, which resulted in offsetting over 33,000 pounds of CO₂ and other greenhouse-gas emissions. Both couples also purchased enough Green Tags to offset all carbon dioxide emissions associated with guest air and auto travel and site energy use for their special day. In addition, Devra and David ingeniously incorporated a model turbine in the design of their wedding cake!

Check out our Event Calculator to determine how many Green Tags it will take to green your next event.

TV Spot for Western Washington Green Power Campaign Wins Regional EMMY Award!

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced that Belo Marketing Solutions (BMS), a division of KING 5, NBC’s television affiliate in Seattle, Washington, is an Emmy award-winner for its "Green Power" television spot promoting the Western Washington Green Power campaign.

Making this Emmy even more significant is the fact that BMS donated its production facilities and time in the creation of the PSA. In addition, KING 5 and KONG 6/16 ran the 30-second spots over an eight-week period, including substantial prime-time placement.  BMS could have held back in producing the spot or the amount of airtime given to it, but their personal commitment to the project would not allow that. BEF and its partners in the regional green power campaign are very happy to see BMS receive this recognition. Congratulations to Mike Johnston, the spot's producer/director, and to the rest of the Belo Marketing Solutions team!

Featured Green Tag Customer: Dagoba Organic Chocolate Company

One of our newest customers, Dagoba Organic Chocolate Company (Dagoba), has partnered with BEF to use clean renewable energy in its operations.

Founded by Frederick Schilling in 2001, Dagoba produces premium organic chocolate products while promoting sustainable business practices in manufacturing and trade. Dagoba searches out cacao producers from cooperatives and farms in Latin, Central, and South America that preserve biodiversity and fragile animal habitat through responsible farming techniques. Dagoba uses only the highest quality varietal organic cacao beans and non-GMO ingredients. All products are Kosher and many are Fair Trade Certified™. Dagoba is offsetting 100% of their electricity use through the purchase of BEF Green Tags.

We at BEF applaud Dagoba's commitment to sustainability and renewable energy, and look forward to our continued relationship with this progressive partner. We encourage you to visit the company's website at www.dagobachocolate.com to see what makes Dagoba the “World’s Best Chocolate.”

Check Out These Other New BEF Green Tag Supporters:

• Aquatic Protection Agency
  
• Ashland Mountain Supply
  
• Ecology Action of Santa Cruz
  
• EcoTeas
  
• Horizon Organic (a division of WhiteWave Foods)
  
• Lasting Wellness Healthcare for Women
• Mithūn
  
• MTV's Trippin' Series