Renewable energy projects wanted
Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky program is accepting applications for community-based renewable energy project funding
by Rocky Mountain Power
March 11, 2013
Got a bright idea for making Utah, Wyoming or Idaho greener? Rocky Mountain Power is looking for organizations that would like help in making their dreams of a renewable energy project a reality. Once a year, the company’s Blue Sky program accepts applications for funding to help support the development of community-based renewable energy projects in its service area.
To apply for Blue Sky funding and to be considered in this competitive process, interested parties must complete and submit an application form along with supporting materials by 5 p.m. (MDT) on May 31, 2013.
Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky program provides an easy and convenient way for customers to support renewable energy development in the western region, influence future renewable energy production and support the construction of new community-based renewable energy projects that increase public education and awareness of renewable technologies.
The amount available for funding awards is limited and varies year to year. As a result of last year’s application process, 22 organizations were selected to receive a total of nearly $2 million. Project funding is made possible thanks to more than 41,500 Rocky Mountain Power customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho who voluntarily participate in the Blue Sky program. Since 2006, Blue Sky customers have helped fund 100 community-based renewable energy projects across the three states.
Renewable energy projects that are eligible for Blue Sky funding may include those that support technologies such as wind, solar photovoltaic, geothermal, certified low-impact hydro, pipeline or irrigation canal hydropower, wave energy or tidal action, or qualifying low-emissions biomass.
This funding is available for non-residential projects in Rocky Mountain Power’s service area that are locally owned and have a generating capacity of less than 10 megawatts of electricity. Projects must be completed by Dec. 31, 2014, with limited exceptions, and should focus on encouraging renewable energy market transformation. Preference is given to local, community-based projects that develop renewable energy generation, support educational efforts to bring broader understanding of renewable energy development and generation, and/or invest in research and demonstration of new generation technologies.
Funding is not available for residential or off-grid projects, for passive or thermal solar energy projects, or for geothermal heat pump systems. Other restrictions also apply. For detailed criteria on project qualifications and application forms, please go to www.rockymountainpower.net/blueskyfunds.
Entries should be thorough, and should be submitted with supporting materials such as photographs, schematics, drawings, cut sheets, narratives, construction bids and financial information; or anything else the applicant considers useful in the project evaluation.
Materials may be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail to:
Rocky Mountain Power
Attn: Blue Sky Fund Award
One Utah Center – 24th Floor
201 S. Main, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Fax: 1-800-754-3114
E-mail: blueskyprojects@rockymountainpower.net
About Blue Sky
Rocky Mountain Power customers can support Blue Sky renewable energy for as little as $1.95 per month for each 100-kilowatt-hour "block" they choose to purchase. The company buys renewable energy certificates from wind energy facilities in the western United States on behalf of participating Blue Sky customers in the amount customers have enrolled to support. The program is Green-e Energy certified by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions, verifying that customers are supporting new renewable resources in compliance with environmental and consumer protection standards. Blue Sky funds also help support the development of smaller-scale renewable energy projects in local communities.
For more information or to sign up for Blue Sky, visit www.rockymountainpower.net/bluesky or call anytime, toll free at 1-800-769-3717.
Recently, Rocky Mountain Power sent letters to congratulate and inform Blue Sky customers about the positive impact they are making. In 2012, a total of 87,919 Blue Sky customers in six states supported more than 604 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy, helping to avoid more than 377,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The associated environmental benefits are equivalent to taking 65,202 cars off the road for a year or planting more than 8.8 million trees.
|
