Evolving Energy Newsletter

Spring/Summer 2008

Buck-A-Block Encourages Renewable Innovation

Solar power to become increasingly viable with thin film solar foil

Avista launched its Buck-A-Block program in 2002 to offer customers the opportunity to support the renewable energy many prefer by purchasing environmental offsets from renewable energy generation. These purchases also play another important role—they demonstrate the interest and market appetite for renewables, thus spurring research and development into new kinds of renewable energy sources. In 2007 alone, Avista customers purchased nearly 70,000 megawatt hours of new renewable energy.

Even though wind continues to be the fastest growing renewable energy source, interest in solar is increasing. Presently, solar energy is not as cost effective as traditional sources of power, but could become more competitive in the future. One exciting new development in solar technology is thin-film solar cells. These sheets of dark polymer foil, which are as thin as a piece of paper and are 200 times lighter than the normal glass-based solar materials, don’t use costly and limited silicon, can be mass produced and don’t use toxic chemicals or large amounts of energy in production processes.

The true measure of the success of these solar cells will become evident when the capital cost of solar power falls below the cost of carbon power, which is currently estimated to be one dollar per watt. This technology is so cutting-edge that it has caught the eye of many investors, including the Shell Oil Company and the founders of Google.

Progressive Produce

Community garden brings fresh, local and organic produce to those in need

The Avista community garden in Spokane is entering its sixth growing season. Every year hundreds of pounds of organically grown tomatoes, radishes, green peppers, squash and other vegetables are donated to the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant (WCFR). The vegetables are cooked into delicious meals that are served to an average of 100 people several times a week. Extra vegetables are sent home with over 125 families every Friday.

The project is a community collaboration, bringing together Avista employees, Whitworth and Gonzaga students and Riverview Retirement Center volunteers. The Riverview Center residents have even started composting. Together gardeners grow healthy, environmentally conscious produce for families in need.

If you'd like to find out more about WCFR and the work they do, visit them online at www.wcfrspokane.org

Customer Spotlight

Doma Coffee

Doma Coffee Roasting in Post Falls, Idaho, made the move to become more sustainable with the purchase of an energy-saving coffee roaster and the assistance of Avista's commercial industrial energy efficiency program. The roaster uses up to 80 percent less natural gas and offers significant CO₂ savings. The biggest problem facing Doma was the exorbitant expense of the machine.

Avista’s unique program was just the ticket. Not only did Doma get technical assistance from energy experts at Avista, including professional engineers, a dedicated account representative and program manager, but they also received financial incentives toward the purchase of the roaster, allowing Doma to fulfill their mission of being the most sustainable coffee roasting company in Post Falls.

To learn more about DOMA, visit them online at www.domacoffee.com.

Congratulations Avista

For the fourth year in a row, the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) named Avista as having one of the best green power premiums in the nation through its Buck-A-Block program.

Avista finished sixth for lowest price with a premium of 300 kWh for one dollar, utilizing a mix of wind, biomass and landfill gas.

Avista is proud to bring you one the best values for your environmental offset dollars.

It’s More than Wind Power

When Avista began offering an option for customers to buy renewable energy through the Buck-A-Block program, wind power was the single source for the program. Because of successful green power programs like Buck-A-Block, wind continues to be the leader in renewable power generation. But wind is not the only resource being developed. Biomass projects, which include landfill gas and timber-industry wastes, are becoming a bigger part of utility renewable energy choices. In 2007, 64 percent of environmental offsets purchased by Buck-A-Block participants came from wind energy with the balance of 36 percent coming from biomass.

Each month, Buck-A-Block customers are responsible for nearly 6,000,000 kWh of environmental offsets and the program just keeps growing. In 2007, 67,000,000 kWh of environmentally preferred energy was generated as a result of the Buck-A-Block program and purchases from participants. This is the CO₂ emission-equivalent to the energy use of more than 6,000 homes or approximately 7,500 vehicles.

Wind Plant Jumps Hurdle

A new wind plant in eastern Washington is one step closer to reality. Avista acquired the development rights for a 50 megawatt wind site at Reardan. Steady winds, easy access to infrastructure and close proximity to Spokane make the site ideal for clean power generation. The plan is to start and finish construction on the $120 million plant in 2011. Once operating, the average expected output of 15 aMW would power about 11,250 homes. At full 50 MW capacity the wind farm could power 37,500 households.

Wind power generation at Reardan exemplifies Avista’s dedication to responsible long-term energy solutions. The Reardan wind plant is a big part of Avista’s 2007 Electric Integrated Resource Plan, which targets 300 MW of wind generated energy by 2017. The plan reflects Avista’s commitment to a sustainable energy future built on renewables and conservation. The Reardan wind farm is a fulfillment of that promise, and a mark of things to come.

Support Businesses that Support Renewables

Over 100 local businesses support renewable power by participating in the Avista Buck-A-Block program on a commercial level. These Buck-A-Block stickers displayed in business’ windows identify participants and Avista encourages you to support these companies in their efforts. If you run a company or business and are interested in becoming part of the program, you can find out more and sign up at avistautilities.com. Search for the keyword Buck-A-Block.