June 30, 2008

PGE Paperless Bill promotion benefits local habitat groups
Customers can vote to direct portion of $20,000 PGE donation to four environmental groups

Portland, Ore. — Portland General Electric (PGE) customers have the power to help habitat restoration and watershed protection in Oregon.

PGE customers who sign up for the Paperless Bill program July 1 through August 15, 2008, will have the opportunity to vote to direct a $20,000 PGE donation to one of four Oregon environmental groups including Clackamas River Basin Council, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, Native Fish Society and Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation.

“Going paperless is a great way for customers to simplify their life, make an earth-friendly choice and give a boost to Oregon habitat restoration and watershed protection,” said Carol Dillin, vice president of public policy, PGE.

“We are honored to be part of this exciting promotion that gives customers a voice in which local environmental group they want PGE to support,” said Tim Greseth, executive director, Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation. “It’s a great opportunity for PGE customers to be more sustainable and protect Oregon’s natural beauty.”   

Even though PGE uses recycled paper, a paperless bill is still the more sustainable, earth-friendly choice.  If 20 percent of U.S. households switched to electronic billing, statements and payments, every year the collective impact would:

• save more than 150 million pounds of paper
• avoid creating more than 1.4 billion gallons of wastewater — enough water to fill 2,180 Olympic-size swimming pools
• avoid producing more than 3.9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions — that’s like taking 325,722 cars off the road.*

Customers who would like to participate can visit PGE Paperless Bill and sign up for paperless billing by Aug. 15, 2008. Once they have completed the simple sign-up process, customers will immediately have a chance to vote online for one of four Oregon environmental nonprofit groups. Current Paperless Bill customers can vote, too. Customers can vote one time. Each organization will receive a portion of the $20,000 based on the percentage of votes it receives. The donation is funded entirely by PGE shareholders.

The four benefiting organizations include:

Clackamas River Basin Council

This group, representing 21 diverse member groups in the Clackamas River Basin, fosters partnerships for clean water, healthy streams and abundant fisheries. Clackamas River Basin Council

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve

Ducks, geese, deer, otters, beavers, herons, eagles, song birds, and other animals all thrive at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, a 725-acre wildlife preserve located within the city limits of Hillsboro. Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve

Native Fish Society

Salmon, steelhead, trout and other native fish species need our help to survive. The Native Fish Society’s goal is the conservation, preservation and restoration of wild fish in the Pacific Northwest. Native Fish Society

Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation

The mission of the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation is to support projects that promote conservation and enhance public use and enjoyment of Oregon’s fish, wildlife and other natural resources. Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation

*Source: www.payitgreen.com

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