55+ Percent Electricity Commitment
Columbia Credit Union purchases more than 55 percent of its electric bill through the Clark Public Utilities' Green Lights program, which supports the purchase and research of renewable energy.
"I, and your Board of Directors, feel it is our corporate duty to be responsible to our community, our environment, and our future," said CEO Steve Kenny.
Columbia increased its commitment from 20 percent in 2006 to 55 percent in 2007. In 2008 the credit union completed two LEED Gold buildings: Washougal and Grand Central. One hundred percent of the energy from both green branches is now purchased through the program.
"Our long-term goal is to increase Columbia's participation in Green Lights over the years," said Steve. "Eventually, our investment will come back to us in the form of economical ‘clean' energy and fewer polluting energy sources. We're doing things now to help future generations."
Clark Public Utilities sells Green Light power in 100-kilowatt-hour blocks. Customers pay $1.50 more per block than the regular price. Clark Public Utilities invests the extra money in the development and research of new, renewable, and non-polluting energy resources for our region.
"Most of it goes toward the development of wind generation," said Michelle Missfeldt, Clark Public Utilities key accounts manager. "Locally, a portion of the money goes to our solar demonstration projects. A big part of that is educating the community."
CFL Bulbs in All Buildings
"We hope that other organizations and individuals will join us in our sustainable efforts," Steve elaborates. "This could mean doing something as simple as switching to compact fluorescent lighting (CFL), which we currently use in all of our facilities."
If every US household switched one bulb to a CFL version, it would have the same impact as taking 800,000 cars off the road, according to Philips Lighting.
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