PacifiCorp is donating $500,000 to relief fund

Utah Power's parent company, PacifiCorp, has announced a $500,000 donation to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

The money will be split among several relief agencies. Utah's American Red Cross chapters will receive $200,000, and $175,000 will go to Northwest Medical Teams based out of Portland, Ore. The remaining monies will be distributed among Red Cross chapters across the West.

The companies' employees have also raised more than $70,000, which will be matched dollar for dollar by the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning.

PacifiCorp utility crews are on standby to help restore essential services in the Gulf states. Local power companies are expected to request out-of-state crews.

"We recognize that the extensive restoration effort will last for months, maybe years, and take billions of dollars to complete," said Rich Walje, president of Utah Power. "We are pleased to be able to help in some way, extending our commitment to the communities we serve and our neighbors as well."