PSE helps Whidbey Island customers go green
HomePrint evaluations and Green Power Challenge to launch on Whidbey Island
BELLEVUE, Wash. (May 1, 2009) – Puget Sound Energy announced today that the utility’s Whidbey Island customers will be able to take advantage of numerous energy conservation opportunities and activities to help them save money and preserve the environment. Local community events, home energy evaluations, and renewable energy development will all be included in an energy conservation series PSE is launching on Whidbey Island this week.
"Whidbey residents can combine conservation with participating in PSE’s Green Power Program,” said Linda Irvine, community resource conservation manager for the City of Langley, who helped the municipality do the same. “By conserving, residents can offset the cost of supporting local renewable energy development.
“PSE’s HomePrint energy evaluations show where you can save energy and potentially cover the cost to switch to PSE’s Green Power Program,” added Irvine. “The Whidbey Green Power Challenge is a chance for us to vote with our dollars for clean, renewable energy. These programs are good for Whidbey pocketbooks and the environment.”
PSE will offer HomePrint home energy evaluations to Whidbey Island residential customers who heat their homes with electricity from PSE and are interested in lowering their usage. This pilot home energy performance evaluation from PSE provides customized in-home energy analysis for the introductory rate of $95. Interested Whidbey Island customers can stop by PSE’s local offices in Freeland and Oak Harbor or contact PSE Energy Advisors at 1-800-562-1482 to see if they qualify and request an appointment for a HomePrint. Because of the in-depth nature of the evaluations, HomePrint advisors need to book appointments in advance, so interested customers should call early for scheduling information.
To perform the HomePrint evaluation, an advisor will come directly to customers’ homes and conduct a thorough review of major energy systems, such as central heating and air conditioning, water heating, weatherization, lighting, appliances and home electronics. Energy-efficient light bulbs, pipe insulation and low-flow showerheads will be installed for no additional charge, and the cost of the HomePrint will include a blower door test to measure air leakage and thermal imaging to measure temperature differences. Once the HomePrint is completed, customers will receive a detailed report showing their home energy usage, including energy saving ideas, as a blueprint for home energy improvement, mapping out exactly how to save money and be more environmentally-friendly.
In addition to the HomePrint pilot offered to Whidbey Island PSE customers, the utility is partnering with the municipalities of Coupeville, Langley, and Oak Harbor to launch the Whidbey Green Power Challenge. The partnering organizations will challenge Whidbey to raise the number of residents enrolled in PSE’s Green Power Program from 650 to 1,000 households. When the goal is achieved, PSE will provide $25,000 toward a community solar project on Whidbey. Once the funds are awarded, the Council of Governments will determine where the project will be located and what type will be implemented. After conservation, solar power is the most readily available renewable resource on Whidbey Island, and the project will benefit the entire community.
PSE’s Green Power Program gives customers a way to guarantee the amount of energy they use is matched in the grid with electricity from wind, solar, biomass and other renewable energy sources. The investment per customer is minimal, typically ranging from $4-$10 per month, and goes to support the development of renewable energy. PSE electric customers can sign up at the local PSE Whidbey offices, online, by phone or by visiting the PSE Green Power Program booth at community events on Whidbey throughout the spring and summer.
“Using the energy savings from a HomePrint evaluation to offset the cost of signing up for Green Power is a great way to protect the environment while still keeping utility bills low,” said Cal Shirley, vice president of Energy Efficiency Services for PSE.
Several island organizations are early business participants in the Whidbey Island Green Power Challenge. Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce, Christopher’s on Whidbey LLP, Clyde Theater, Island Athletic Club, Island Transit, Karlson Gray Gallery, Prairie Center Red Apple Market and Whidbey Island Soap Company all purchase Green Power for their businesses and encourage others to do the same.
Whidbey Island PSE customers can learn more about energy conservation at several events over the coming months. Highlights include two workshops on saving energy that will be held at PSE’s office in Freeland.
Upcoming events for Whidbey PSE customers:
| May 2 |
Hearts and Hammers volunteer celebration in South Whidbey, |
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Heartsandhammers.com |
| May 3 |
Sustainability Fair at Skagit Valley Community College, |
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Island County campus in Oak Harbor |
| May 7 |
Clinton Chamber of Commerce meeting in Clinton |
| June 3 |
Transition Whidbey Potluck in Langley |
| June 13 |
PSE South Whidbey Workshop: PSE’s Web Tools, Freeland |
| Aug. 8 |
PSE South Whidbey Workshop: HomePrint, Freeland |
For more information about Whidbey Island activities, contact the PSE South Whidbey office at 1-360-331-3060 or come by during business hours at 1794 Main St. in Freeland. To learn more about energy conservation opportunities for Whidbey Island PSE customers, visit Whidbey Green Power Challenge on PSE.com or call a PSE Energy Advisor at 1-800-562-1482.
Media contact
Rebekah Anderson, 1-888-831-7250
About Puget Sound Energy
Washington state’s oldest and largest energy utility, with a 6,000-square-mile service area stretching across 11 counties, Puget Sound Energy serves more than 1 million electric customers and nearly 750,000 natural gas customers. PSE, a subsidiary of Puget Energy, meets the energy needs of its growing customer base primarily in Western Washington through incremental, cost-effective energy conservation, procurement of sustainable energy resources, and far-sighted investment in the energy-delivery infrastructure. PSE employees are dedicated to providing great customer service to deliver energy that is safe, reliable, reasonably priced, and environmentally responsible.