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Hogle Zoo and Gallivan Center Holiday Lights to Glow Green Thanks to Blue Sky Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program is delivering a bright green gift to Salt Lake City this season, but there’s no wrapping required. Blue Sky is providing renewable energy certificates to offset environmental impacts of the electricity used for holiday lighting displays at Utah’s Hogle Zoo and Salt Lake City’s Gallivan Center with emission-free wind energy.“Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky program is supporting an additional 152 megawatt-hours of renewable energy through these two partnerships, helping the Gallivan Center and Hogle Zoo avoid a total of more than 185,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions,” said Alene Bentley, Rocky Mountain Power customer and community manager. “This provides environmental benefits equivalent to not driving more than 187,000 miles or removing 15 cars from the road for one year.” Hogle Zoo began Zoolights! two years ago with more than a million sparkling holiday lights. This year, the state’s largest animated holiday park is even bigger, with more lights and displays, savory seasonal treats and live entertainment. Zoolights runs from Nov. 28 through the end of the year. “ZooLights! at Utah’s Hogle Zoo has become a tradition for families along the Wasatch Front, and we are proud to participate in programs like Blue Sky alongside such an amazing holiday event,” said Holly Braithwaite, Hogle Zoo community relations coordinator. “Hogle Zoo has a commitment to educate the public about conservation while doing our part for the environment, and this support from Rocky Mountain Power enables us to conserve energy.” The Gallivan Center’s 2009/2010 winter lighting display will shine from Nov. 27 through Valentine’s Day. Located in the heart of downtown, the plaza’s holiday lights create the perfect atmosphere for the many winter celebrations, exhibits, performances and activities that take place there, as well as for the lunchtime crowds and strolling holiday shoppers. “We are thrilled to partner with Rocky Mountain Power and Blue Sky to make this season at the Gallivan Center much greener. How great is it to celebrate the holidays by coming downtown to see the lights, and better yet knowing the carbon footprint at the Gallivan Center is extremely low due to wind energy,” said Cynthia Stringham, Gallivan event advertising and marketing manager. Blue Sky provides an easy way for Rocky Mountain Power customers to support wind-powered electric generation and other renewable energy facilities in the region. When a customer enrolls in Blue Sky, Rocky Mountain Power purchases Green-e Energy-certified renewable energy certificates on their behalf from wind energy facilities in the region. Blue Sky funds also have helped support the development of smaller community-based renewable energy projects, including several in Salt Lake City. Blue Sky is sold in 100 kilowatt-hour block increments for $1.95 per month. More than 31,200 Rocky Mountain Power customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho currently support Blue Sky renewable energy. Separate from Blue Sky, Rocky Mountain Power is investing in cost-effective renewable energy to serve its customers through company-owned generation and renewable energy purchases. Electricity from wind energy facilities increases the diversity of Rocky Mountain Power’s generation portfolio, which also includes coal, natural gas, hydroelectric and geothermal sources. Through the Blue Sky program, the company and its customers are working together to support the development of even more renewable energy resources. |
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