ENERGY INSIGHTS

Winter 2015 • Volume 15 Issue 1

A Paci� c Power perspective on people and energy

Wastewater district cleans up energy costs

South Suburban Sanitary District earned $77,100 in cash incentives from Energy Trust of Oregon as a result of an energy upgrade. Pictured from left are Todd Andres, Paci� c Power community manager and Michael Fritschi, general manager of South Suburban Sanitary District.

An ongoing initiative to save energy and cut electricity use and operating costs at the South Suburban Sanitary District is adding value to the Klamath Falls community and to its ratepayers.

A recent investment in new, energy-ef� cient technology at the South Suburban Sanitary District’s wastewater treatment plant in Klamath Falls is helping the district save approximately 40 percent on its annual electricity bill.

The district worked closely with Energy Trust of Oregon, which teams up with Paci� c Power to offer energy-saving programs, technical assistance and cash incentives.

Cost-effective, energy-ef� cient processThe South Suburban Sanitary District serves commercial businesses and residences in Klamath County and parts of Klamath Falls, processing an average of 2.7 million gallons per day of wastewater. Treating all that wastewater is an energy-intensive process, which means District Manager Michael Fritschi pays close attention to advancements in technology and equipment that will improve treatment, lower energy consumption and reduce the district’s overall carbon footprint.”

“We’re providing the same level of treatment with less energy,” said Fritschi. “And by saving energy, we control our operating costs, which helps free up future capital for key infrastructure projects that will add value to the district.”

The district’s plant uses four lagoons as part of its process, including one aerated treatment lagoon. Prior to the equipment upgrade, air was introduced to the wastewater through an older system of coarse bubble diffusers spaced throughout the lagoon. The coarse bubbles provide aeration and keep the sediment in the aerated lagoon mixed, but the oxygen transfer ef� ciency tends to be fairly low.

The outdated system was also becoming repair intensive, so Fritschi turned to Energy Trust for consultation help and an energy audit. The district’s goal was to � nd a way to reduce the amount of energy needed to provide oxygen and mix sediment for biological treatment of the lagoons.

“This project is part of an overall energy reduction strategy,” said Fritschi. “This � scal year we’ve budgeted 33 percent less for all utility costs than in the last nine � scal years on average. Our community and ratepayers count on us to control costs to keep future rates stable and maintain our long-term � nancial health.”

Innovative solution cuts costsOne of the � rst installations of this technology on the West Coast, the project replaced 328 coarse bubble aeration diffusers with 63 ef� cient diffusers capable of providing a combination of coarse and � ne bubbles for improved aeration ef� ciency. The � ne-bubble diffusers increased the oxygen transfer ef� ciency, which reduces the system’s overall energy load.

The district earned $77,100 in cash incentives from Energy Trust. The project is estimated to save 334,850 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is equal to the amount of energy needed to power 30 average Oregon homes for one year.

For details on energy ef� ciency incentives and services for Oregon businesses, contact your account manager, call Energy Trust at 1-866-368-7878 or visit bewattsmart.com.

Blue Sky supports solar projectsSolar projects will soon help reduce energy costs for 10 community-based organizations in Oregon and Washington, thanks in part to funding from Paci� c Power’s Blue SkySM Block program customers.

Together, the solar projects represent approximately $1.8 million in renewable energy investment in 2015, helping bring more than 2 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity on-line.

Projects funded in Oregon include:

• Bend First United Methodist Church

• Bend Habitat ReStore

• Central Oregon Community College - Redmond campus

• Greenleaf Industries, Grants Pass

• Oregon Convention Center, Portland

• Paci� c Crest Affordable Housing - Ironhorse Lodge, Prineville

• Rogue Valley International Airport, Medford

• Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, Pendleton

Paci� c Power customers who participate in the Blue Sky Block option, a nationally recognized, Green-e® Energy Certi� ed program, support renewable energy generation in the region, and help fund community-based projects like these.

Most of these projects are on schedule to be completed this year. The application period for the 2015 round of Blue Sky community project awards opens in March. To learn more, please visit paci� cpower.net/blueskyfunds.

Value powers service to customersAs Oregon’s energy infrastructure evolves, Paci� c Power is committed to providing value to its customers while it works to meet current and future electricity needs.

“Our top priority remains delivering safe, reliable electricity and excellent customer service,” said Stefan Bird, Paci� c Power president and CEO. “Our plans include strategic investments in renewable energy, electrical infrastructure and technologies that help customers prosper.”

Leading the way in the WestCustomer priorities guide Paci� c Power’s efforts in key areas:

• Reliability – Long-term investments enhance the overall reliability, security and � exibility of the regional grid that delivers electricity to homes and businesses. The company’s extensive transmission network and Energy Gateway expansion projects also provide access to abundant renewable resources.

• Safety – Attention to safety keeps customers and employees out of harm’s way.

• Prices – Smart, steady investments and fair rates for customers give Oregon a competitive advantage and help bring more business to the state (see chart).

• Energy ef� ciency – Paci� c Power teams up with Energy Trust of Oregon to offer wattsmart® incentives and services that help customers reduce electricity use.

• Renewables – A longtime national leader in wind power, the company continues to assess and acquire cost-effective renewable resources. The company also offers renewable energy choices through distributed generation and its award-

Paci� c Power’s long-term focus remains on delivering innovative solutions and best-in-class, dependable electric service while keeping rates competitive for customers.

winning Blue SkySM program. Thermal generation resources provide necessary fuel diversity to keep costs down for customers.

• Coordinated grid – To bene� t customers, the company partnered to create an energy imbalance market. The real-time market helps optimize the electric grid, lowering costs, enhancing reliability and more effectively integrating renewable generation.

For ways to save energy and money, visit bewattsmart.com.

*Includes all customer classes (i.e. residential, commercial, industrial)**Includes California, Oregon and Washington

Source: Edison Electric Institute Typical Bills & Average Rates Report, June 2014

10.53¢13.45¢

9.27¢

Average U.S. rate

Average Paci� c region** rate

Average Paci� c Power rate in Oregon

Total retail average* in cents per kwh

Oregon communities vie for energy prizeThe Oregon communities of Bend and Corvallis are among 50 across the U.S. competing for $5 million to spend toward becoming more energy ef� cient. First they have to prove they can save energy and how they’ll save more with the prize.

Last year, Bend and Corvallis applied to participate in the Georgetown University Energy Prize challenge. The two-year competition aims to reduce America’s energy consumption dramatically by rethinking energy use.

“The communities we selected are leaders in energy ef� ciency who will develop innovative approaches that will inspire and enable others to follow in their footsteps,” said Dr. Francis Slakey, founder and executive director of the Georgetown University Energy Prize.

With a decades-long commitment to serving customers’ needs, saving energy and conserving natural resources, Paci� c Power is in a unique position to support the communities’ efforts.

“We’ll provide them regular data on monthly electricity use, so they can track their progress,” said Doris Johnston, Paci� c Power regional community manager, Corvallis. The company will also provide � nancial or promotional help to build local support.

“We share the goals of the competition,” said Angela Price, Paci� c Power regional community manager in Bend. “Therefore, we’ll make certain the communities are aware of wattsmart programs and incentives offered through Energy Trust.”

The winning community will be selected in 2017 based on its ability to create innovative, replicable approaches to energy ef� ciency and receive $5 million to continue its efforts.

Visit bewattsmart.com for tips and incentives to trim energy use.

System work enhances reliabilityPaci� c Power continues to make targeted long-term investments in its electrical system to improve reliability for customers.

“While Paci� c Power’s service is among the best – 99.97 percent reliable – we’ll keep doing what it takes to improve,” said Doug Butler, Paci� c Power vice president of operations. He said the company’s system investments work to ensure capacity, improve equipment performance and maintain or restore service when electricity needs to be rerouted.

Local investments bene� t customersProjects can range from installing protective devices on facilities – like bird guards on cross arms – to installing remote operators and switches on a transmission system.

Recent work in Oregon includes:

• Fry Substation upgrade – Technicians are upgrading substation equipment near Albany to improve equipment performance, enhance reliability for customers and allow for greater transmission capabilities.

• Whetstone Substation – A new substation near White City will help to serve the current and future needs of the southern Oregon region, especially during seasonal peaks, and provide additional operational � exibility in the area.

• Threemile Canyon Farm upgrade – A project near Hermiston will increase substation capacity to accommodate customers’ needs and growth in the area.

• Lyons enhancement – This project adds transmission capacity from Lyons to Mill City.

The company continually invests in its system – maintaining, upgrading and building infrastructure to make sure customers and communities have the reliable electricity they need.

BLM issues draft EIS on Oregon lineThe U.S. Bureau of Land Management released the draft Boardman-Hemingway transmission line environmental impact statement in December 2014 triggering the 90-day public comment period. The agency preferred alternative route in the EIS follows Idaho Power’s proposed route through eastern Oregon and western Idaho, with a few variations that address permitting and public and environmental concerns identi� ed during the public process. Currently expected to be in-service in 2020 or beyond, the 300-mile, 500-kilovolt line will connect to Paci� Corp’s Energy Gateway transmission expansion project to increase total system � exibility.

For more information, visit paci� cpower.net/reliability.

©2015 Paci� c Power OR

For information on these and other topics, please visit paci� cpower.net. If you have questions or content suggestions, please email energyinsights@paci� cpower.net.

Grants fund local nonpro� tsDuring the fourth quarter of 2014, the Paci� c Power Foundation awarded more than $218,800 to communities in Oregon, California and Washington.

The following are some of the organizations awarded grants for projects that support the growth and vitality of local communities:

• Chief Joseph Days Rodeo

• Coos Art Museum

• Liberty Restoration

• Peter Britt Gardens Music and Arts Festival Association

• Ross Ragland Theater

In 2014, the foundation awarded grants across six states totaling more than $1.6 million.

Requests in the categories of civic and community betterment, arts and culture, health and human services and education are considered. For more information, please visit paci� cpower.net/foundation.

Meter reader rocks his routeDouglas Pack sings in the shower. He sings on his meter reading routes in Bend, Oregon. But he really belts out the tunes twice a week with a local rock band.

Serving as vocalist for Stereo Treason is a lifelong dream for the southern California native. “It’s really quite a miracle I can sing at all,” he pointed out. “I was born deaf.” Several surgeries between ages 4 and 8 gave him the ability to hear.

“I may not hear as much as most people, but I can hear plenty, and I can de� nitely sing,” said Pack. “I’d given up on the whole music thing when I left southern California seven years ago. I couldn’t make my bills down there. So I came here, cut my hair and got a job.

“I missed music and started looking for an opportunity to get back to it,” he said. He noticed an ad for a band seeking a vocalist. Pack was an instant hit with the band during his audition.

“All of the guys are great musicians and we meld together really well,” Pack said.

Paci� c Power meter reader and band vocalist Douglas Pack with his wife and daughter.