Northwest Scores Top Rankings in National Study on ‘Green Energy’ Consumption

U.S. Dept. of Energy study ranks Oregon, Washington and Montana in top ten for consumers who make energy-conscious decisions when purchasing power

Seattle, WA — Northwest consumers are at the forefront when in comes to innovation in energy. A recent report released by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) ranked Oregon, Montana and Washington second, fourth and tenth respectively in a study on utilities customers nationwide with respect to “green pricing”—electricity produced from clean, renewable resources, such as solar and wind, and sold by power providers to buyers who are willing to pay a premium for these clean power options.

NREL’s Energy Analysis Office compared green power market trends in 500 utilities in 33 states that offer green energy packages to consumers and evaluated them according to energy pre-sale packages purchased by consumers. Counties throughout the Northwest fared well with respect to customers who participate in available green power programs offered by both public and private utility providers. “It is clear that Northwest customers are savvy consumers who see value in green power and renewable energy options,” said Jeff Morris, Director of the Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative (NWETC).

NWETC commissioned a “Poised for Profit” study, released in November 2003, which outlined the economic potential in Northwest states. “Investing in new energy technologies has significant economic potential for our region.” Morris says. “The Poised for Profit study shows technology-driven renewable energy sources could generate as many as 30,000 new jobs in the northwest,” said Morris.

The study highlight’s the northwest region as a worldwide innovation center for new energy efficiencies in the areas of hydrogen, biomass and solar applications with more than 225 companies working in this sector. More information on NWETC’s Poised for Profit study can be found at www.nwetc.com. The full NREL study can be viewed at www.nrel.gov/news/press/2004/1404_green_pwr_programs.html.

About the Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative
NWETC is a joint, voluntary effort of business, government, non-profit, industry and educational institutions in the Pacific Northwest comprised of the Washington Technology Center, Avista Corporation, Bonneville Power Administration, INTEC, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Puget Sound Energy, Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, and Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. NWETC’s purpose is to position and accelerate the emergence and growth of the energy technology industry in the Pacific Northwest, and to make the region a recognized leader for innovative research, education and product development for energy technology markets worldwide.

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