The Collins Companies: Climate Trust News Release

Release Date, 2003
Press Contact: Michael Ashford, The Climate Trust, 503-238-1915.
Collins Contact: Jaime Sanz de Santamaria, The Collins Companies, 503-227-1219

Oregon non-profit purchases carbon dioxide offsets from first forest products company.

PORTLAND, Ore., Release Date, 2003 – The Climate Trust of Portland, Ore. is helping The Collins Companies reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, the gas largely responsible for global warming, by partially funding the installation of a cogeneration facility at the Collins Lakeview facility.

The Fremont Sawmill, located in Lakeview Oregon and operated by Collins, will modify high to low pressure kilns and install a high efficiency backpressure steam turbine generator to produce low emissions electricity. “This Oregon project allows Collins to use high pressure steam to generate their own power while emitting less carbon dioxide than grid-based power,” commented Mike Burnett, executive director of The Climate Trust.

“ These changes not only reduce the negative impact on the climate and the environment, but they are very compatible with our other environmental commitments, including becoming the first privately-owned forest products company in the U. S. to be independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and the first to adopt the principles of the Natural Step into our manufacturing and operation facilities,“ said Eric Schooler, President and CEO of The Collins Companies.

" We are excited to be working with a progressive Oregon-based timber company to promote environmentally sustainable business practices that utilize energy efficient technologies” said Bill Edmonds, Board Chair of The Climate Trust. “By working with The Collins Companies, we are encouraging cost-effective steps to address climate change. Worldwide, businesses must be part of the solution, by finding smart and creative ways to curb increases in greenhouse gas emissions."

This project was chosen for funding from The Climate Trust’s 2001 solicitation for offset projects. The Climate Trust has put five other offset projects under contract with over $5 million in funding provided by new power plants owned or operated by Calpine Corporation, Avista Corporation, PacifiCorp Power Marketing, Inc., and NW Natural.

About The Climate Trust - The Climate Trust is a nonprofit organization formed in 1997 in response to landmark Oregon legislation requiring new power plants to counter their global warming impact. This innovative legislation allows power plant developers to meet this carbon dioxide (CO2) emission standard by making a payment to The Climate Trust, which uses the funds to stimulate projects that avoid, displace or sequester CO2 emissions. These projects are called offsets because they offset the production of CO2 from new Oregon power plants Further information about this and other offset projects funded by The Climate Trust is available at www.climatetrust.org.