September 2023 CarbonBetter® Impact Update
Every month we share the positive impact our customers have made through their use of CarbonBetter-certified 100% energy, which is included in every Provision clean energy supply plan. Each customer on these plans receives an email with their personal impact for the month, and this blog post reflects the impact all of our customers have made together since we became CarbonBetter-certified in November 2020.
We’re honored to be able to provide affordable clean energy that makes a real difference. Check out all of our past Impact Updates here!
Our Customers’ CarbonBetter Impact – September 2023 Update
106.7k
mWh
Provision customers have funded 106,658 mWh of clean energy generation, which could power 11,468 homes for a year.*
75.0k
tons
Provision customers have offset 74,970 tons of carbon, which is like avoiding over 192 million miles of driving.**
81.1k
trees
Provision customers have funded planting 81,143 trees, which may sequester 1,338 tons of carbon in their lifetime.***
Want to be included in our next impact update?
It’s easy to contribute to the positive impact we make each month. All Provision energy plans include CarbonBetter clean energy, which helps you make a difference automatically when you use energy at home.
Our customers help fund clean energy generation through renewable energy certificates, offset carbon through carbon credits, and plant trees to aid in reforestation and increase our natural carbon-capturing capabilities. It’s never too late to start using your energy for good.
September 2023 Impact Update: Lookout Point Dam – Lookout Point G3 Project
Courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
About the Project
The Lookout Point Dam is a federal-owned dam located on the Middle Fork Willamette River (M. Fk. Willamette River) in Oregon was completed in 1954 at $88.2 million. The dam is an earth and gravel-filled structure with concrete gated spillways. It has a capacity of 120 megawatt (MW) and works in coordination with Hills Creek and Fall Creek dams for flood risk management, water quality improvement, irrigation, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation.
It is a significant federal-owned structure on the M. Fk. Willamette River in Oregon. Completed in 1954, it is an earth and gravel-filled dam with concrete gated spillways that stands 193 feet tall and 6,100 feet long. The dam’s reservoir spans 4,291 acres and is used for flood risk management, water quality improvement, irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation. Its three generating units have a combined capacity of 120 MW.
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) Explained
100% renewable electricity is included automatically in every Provision electricity supply plan, and we use renewable energy certificates, or RECs, to deliver on our clean energy promise. Homes are connected to the power grid by transmission lines, and the electricity that’s supplied is derived from a variety of generation resources, both renewable and non-renewable. This is because when clean energy is generated and put on the grid, it’s mixed with other fuel sources, making it difficult for environmentally conscious consumers to supply their homes with 100% clean energy.
Provision ensures more clean energy is put on the grid by funding renewable generators by purchasing RECs. These certificates support electricity generation equal to the volume consumed by Provision customers, thus leading to a cleaner grid and delivering on pour 100% clean energy promise. So far, Provision customers have helped fund over 70,000 Megawatt-hours (mWh) of renewable electricity using RECs.
How It Works
The Lookout Point Dam is an earth and gravel-filled dam designed to control the flow of the M. Fk. Willamette River, a tributary of the Willamette River in western Oregon. The dam is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is part of the Willamette River Basin Flood Control Project.
The dam’s reservoir spans 4,291 acres and serves as a source of irrigation water for nearby agricultural areas. Water is released from the reservoir through pipes and canals to irrigate crops and pasturelands downstream.
In addition to flood control and irrigation, the Lookout Point Dam is also utilized for hydroelectric power generation. The dam houses three hydroelectric generating units with a combined capacity of 120 MW. Water from the reservoir flows through these units, spinning turbines to generate electricity.
Project Benefits
The Lookout Point Dam offers multiple benefits to the surrounding region, including:
- Flood Control: The primary function of the dam is to regulate the flow of the M. Fk. Willamette River, reducing the risk of flooding in nearby areas. During periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt, the dam’s reservoir can store excess water and release it gradually downstream, mitigating the potential for downstream flooding.
- Irrigation: The Lookout Point Dam serves as a dependable source of water for irrigation. The water released from the reservoir irrigates crops and pasturelands downstream, bolstering the region’s agricultural economy.
- Hydroelectric Power Generation: Equipped with three hydroelectric generating units, the dam boasts a combined capacity of 120 MW. It generates electricity by spinning turbines with the water flow from the reservoir. This renewable energy source diminishes the region’s dependence on fossil fuels, offering a sustainable electricity supply.
- Recreation: The reservoir of the dam is a hub for recreational activities, including boating, fishing, swimming, and camping. With several campgrounds, picnic areas, a marina, and a boat ramp, the reservoir promotes outdoor recreation and tourism in the area.
- Water Quality Improvement: By slowing the river’s flow, the dam’s reservoir facilitates the settling of sediment and pollutants. This process decreases the sediment and pollutant levels downstream, enhancing water quality for both human consumption and aquatic habitats.
Conclusion
The Lookout Point Dam, which is owned by the federal government, is a significant structure. Oregon’s Willamette River. It is earth and gravel-filled construction, as well as its concrete gated spillways, aid in flood risk management and water flow control. The reservoir of the dam supplies irrigation water, hydroelectric power, and recreational opportunities while also improving water quality. The Willamette River Basin Flood Control Project includes the Lookout Point Dam, Hills Creek Dam, and Fall Creek Dam.
By being a Provision customer, you are contributing towards funding the Lookout Point Dam Project and other clean energy initiatives by purchasing renewable energy certificates. With our platform, we offer a simple way for you to offset your carbon footprint and support such projects that contribute to environmental preservation. By choosing us, you can easily use your energy for a positive impact and take steps towards a more sustainable future. Join us in using your energy for good and supporting sustainable projects.
Every Provision Customer Makes a Difference
About CarbonBetter Impact Calculations:
*The typical home in your area uses 9,300 kWh of electricity per year.
**https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gases-equivalencies-calculator-calculations-and-references#gasoline
***https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gases-equivalencies-calculator-calculations-and-references#seedlings
Impact is calculated based on our customers’ billings in the impact month, but planting, funding, and offsetting may not happen in that month. These activities must align with planting seasons and project life cycles to be effective. If you have any questions, please contact us at hello@getprovision.com.
