In May 2011, Portland General Electric and Pacific Power led the nation in the number of customers participating in green power programs last year, with 78,000 and 76,000 accounts, respectively. PGE is also second, and Pacific Power third, in renewable energy sales nationwide, according to the National Renewable Energy Lab. NW Natural continues to grow its Smart Energy program to help customers “use less, offset the rest”; so far, more than 11,000 customers are lowering their environmental impact through the carbon offset initiative.

In addition to serving customers with green power programs, utilities are also spreading the word about its complement—energy efficiency. New utility advertising describes the benefits of energy efficiency and the Energy Trust incentives utility customers can receive to help lower project costs. View PGE’s energy-efficiency campaign, as well as Pacific Power’s wattsmart program. NW Natural offers spring promotions that include special incentives on high-efficiency equipment, and Cascade Natural Gas delivers energy-saving options and directs customers to Energy Trust programs.