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Energy Trust of Oregon receives national clean energy award for work with City of Gresham

State Leadership in Clean Energy Award recognizes net-zero energy innovations at Gresham wastewater treatment plant

PORTLAND, Ore. — November 19, 2014 — Energy Trust of Oregon was honored with a 2014 State Leadership in Clean Energy Award from the Clean Energy States Alliance, a national nonprofit coalition of public agencies and organizations working together to advance the adoption of clean energy technologies.

The award recognizes the nonprofit organization for its technical assistance, project development support and more than $1 million in cash incentives to the City of Gresham for renewable energy production and energy-efficiency investments. In addition, the Oregon Department of Energy contributed funding and an initial feasibility study for the City of Gresham. The long-term assistance will help the plant become the first wastewater treatment plant in the Pacific Northwest to achieve net-zero energy consumption.

“The Gresham wastewater treatment plant’s comprehensive renewable energy and energy-efficiency approach is paving the way for wastewater treatment plants in the Pacific Northwest and across the nation,” said Margie Harris, executive director, Energy Trust. “We are pleased to have worked with the city’s dedicated energy management team, and to gather lessons learned from this experience to further help municipal managers, engineers and operators crafting clean energy plans for our state’s wastewater treatment plants.”

By early 2015, the Gresham wastewater treatment plant will generate all the electricity it needs each year from onsite renewable energy resources. The plant is achieving this goal through the use of two, 395-kilowatt co-generation engines fueled by biogas produced from the anaerobic digestion of wastewater solids, a 420-kilowatt ground mount solar electric system, and increased production of biogas from the co-digestion of fats, oils and grease received from area restaurants and food processers. The facility rounded out its net-zero efforts with multiple energy-efficiency investments.

“We are proud of our success at Gresham’s wastewater treatment plant,” said Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis. “Through continual improvements to the system over the past 10 years, we have simultaneously saved our ratepayers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually and made our

operations more environmentally friendly. The contributions of partners like Energy Trust helped make Gresham’s success a reality and we congratulate them on this award.”

Energy Trust was one of eight programs nationwide presented with an award during CESA’s national awards dinner on November 17 in Annapolis, Md. The awards highlight model programs and projects that have accelerated the adoption of clean energy technologies. Award recipients were chosen by an independent panel of five distinguished judges for programs demonstrating public benefits and results, cost effectiveness, leadership and innovation, and replicability.

A case study with more information about Energy Trust and the City of Gresham wastewater treatment plant is available at www.cesa.org/assets/2014-Files/SLICE-2014/CESA-SLICE-2014-Report.pdf. In addition, CESA will host a free webinar in January 2015 featuring speakers from Energy Trust and the City of Gresham. More information and registration details are available online at www.cesa.org/projects/state-leadership-in-clean-energy/2014/.

About Energy Trust of Oregon: Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping utility customers benefit from saving energy and generating renewable power. Our services, cash incentives and energy solutions have helped participating customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas save $1.7 billion on energy bills. Our work helps keep energy costs as low as possible, creates jobs and builds a sustainable energy future. Learn more at www.energytrust.org or call 1.866.368.7878.

About the Clean Energy States Alliance: The Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) is a national nonprofit coalition of public agencies and organizations working together to advance clean energy. CESA members—mostly state agencies—include many of the most innovative, successful, and influential public funders of clean energy initiatives in the country. CESA works with state leaders, federal agencies, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to develop and promote clean energy technologies and markets. CESA facilitates information sharing, provides technical assistance, coordinates multi-state collaborative projects, and communicates the positions and achievements of its members. For more information, visit www.cesa.org.

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MEDIA NOTE: Photos from the awards event, including photos showing Energy Trust Renewable Energy Project Manager Dave Moldal receiving the award on behalf of Energy Trust, and photos of the Gresham wastewater treatment plant projects are available by contacting Mia Hart at 503.445.0570 or mia.hart@energytrust.org.

Category: Renewable Energy