OPALCO’s Fuel Mix is 90% Greenhouse Gas Free!
OPALCO is a member-owned electric utility committed to energy efficiency and cost-effective conservation practices. OPALCO is proud to be able to offer a clean and renewable fuel mix to its members.
OPALCO is contracted with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) as a full-requirement utility in order to secure the lowest cost, most reliable power for our member owners. As such, OPALCO is contractually obligated to the fuel mix that BPA provides from the federal system to supply our distribution needs.
The fuel mix demonstrates how the electricity that OPALCO delivers is generated. The majority (about 75%) is generated by hydro-electricity, a clean and renewable source that comes from the dams on the Columbia River. Demand for the Northwest’s hydro-electric resources is growing. OPALCO encourages all Co-op members to do what they can to use this precious resource wisely.
2010 Fuel Mix
Hydro: 75.02%
Nuclear: 12.29%
Coal: 7.47%
Natural Gas: 2.76%
Wind: 2%
Biomass: 0.22%
Waste: 0.13%
Petroleum: 0.07%
Landfill Gases: 0.02%
Other: 0.02%
Solar, Co-generation, Geothermal: 0.00%
Source: Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, Energy Policy Division — November 2011