Rocky Mountain Power has awarded Blue Sky funding for three renewable projects in Wyoming. A total of $382,000 from Blue Sky customers will be used to build solar projects at Community Entry Services in Riverton, Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport in Rock Springs and The Nature Conservancy in Lander.

“Blue Sky customers are making a real difference for organizations serving communities throughout Wyoming,” said Keven Hoopiiaina, Blue Sky Manager for Rocky Mountain Power. “These solar projects will benefit those who fly, those involved in protecting our land as well as some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Community Entry Services

For the past 42 years Community Entry Services (CES) has been providing care and services for people with brain injuries and developmental and intellectual disabilities. CES has been awarded $250,291 in Blue Sky funding to build a 79.2-kW rooftop solar array at its Riverton headquarters.

“Currently few sources of renewable energy are available in Riverton,” said Hal Herron, CES Board Chair. “We are highly visible and well respected in the county and anticipate the Blue Sky project will generate substantial interest and encourage the installation of new commercial and residential systems in our community.”

The CES facility in Riverton is on the gateway to Yellowstone and located near 3,500 students from 3 educational organizations, including: Central Wyoming College, Riverton High School and the Wyoming Job Corps campus, which is training students in the field of renewable energy.

Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport

The Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport serves several counties in Wyoming and supports nearly 17,000 aircraft operations each year. The airport will receive $94,216 in Blue Sky funds to build a 30-kW solar array on the new General Aviation Terminal and Hangar Facility.

“This solar array will provide our leadership and staff with a sense of pride for years to come,” said Devon Brubaker, Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport Manager. “This pride will be demonstrated not only to visitors to the airport but also at all community events held at the airport.”

The airport has also been heavily involved in conserving energy as well by installing energy efficient heating and lighting systems.

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is an international non-profit organization with more than one million members who have been working to conserve lands and waters since 1951. The organization will receive $37,967 to build a 15-kW solar array on the organization’s state headquarters in Lander.

“This solar array shows our commitment to renewable energy,” said Randy Craft, The Nature Conservancy Land Conservation Specialist. “We will continue to use this project as an example of how a local, rooftop solar installation can reduce the carbon footprint of small businesses.”

Since 2006, Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky customers have voluntarily supported wind power generation in the region. Blue Sky has provided more than $8 million in funding awards to 120 community-based renewable energy projects.

Blue Sky provides an easy and convenient way for customers to support the development of renewable energy resources in the western United States and in their state. Blue Sky renewable energy is separate from, and in addition to, what Rocky Mountain Power buys or generates to serve its customers. The program is Green-e Energy certified by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions.

Rocky Mountain Power currently has nearly 50,000 Blue Sky customers throughout Wyoming, Idaho and Utah. A new video shows how the Blue Sky program is making a big difference in all of the states served by Rocky Mountain Power.

News item from Rocky Mountain Power