STATEWIDE: Oregon real
estate agents, homebuyers have new tool to find "green" new homes
Finding new homes with energy efficient and green
building measures is just a click away. Beginning
February 27, the Regional Multiple Listing Service
(RMLS™), which services Oregon and Southwest Washington,
has added an easy-to-use, pull-down menu that real estate
agents can use to find homes with environmental
certifications, including ENERGY STAR, Earth Advantage®
and LEED® for Homes.
"Once again, Oregonians are taking a leadership role
in helping homebuyers make good energy choices," said
Margie Harris, executive director, Energy Trust. "We're
definitely seeing that homebuyers are more interested
than ever in energy efficiency and sustainability."
Read more about the RMLS program
STATEWIDE: More energy incentives available
for commercial buildings with ENERGY STAR® option
Commercial building projects completed since
January 1, 2005, may be eligible for additional
Energy Trust cash incentives for energy saving measures.
Energy Trust of Oregon has added an ENERGY STAR option
to its Business Energy Solutions—New Buildings program
that could provide an additional $1,000-$15,000 for
qualified projects. Completed projects that participated
in the Standard Track may apply for additional
ENERGY STAR incentives for a combined total of up to
$65,000. Custom and LEED track projects are not eligible
for the ENERGY STAR track incentives.
Read more about new energy incentives
PORTLAND, EUGENE: Energy
Trust and NW Natural launch TV advertising campaign
Energy Trust and NW Natural are hitting the television
airways this month to promote high efficiency gas furnaces
and appliances. The 30-second spot is airing on
cable and network stations in Portland and Eugene through April 22, 2007.
NW Natural and Energy Trust chose a TV campaign—a
first for Energy Trust—to boost consumer investment
in high efficiency gas appliances. "Interested viewers who
are out of the Portland or Eugene television
markets can view the spot on our website," said Diane
Ferington, residential sector manager, Energy Trust. A link
on the Home Energy Solutions program pages connects
customers to the NW Natural website for details
on a special high efficiency gas furnace sweepstakes offer.
View the commercial in Quick Time (5.86 MB)
View the commercial in Windows Media Player (7 MB)
Read more about the high efficiency furnace offer
STATEWIDE: New commercial
buildings boost energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is becoming a priority for more and
more new commercial buildings in Oregon. In 2006, 165
new building or major renovation projects received cash
incentives from Energy Trust for installing
energy efficient upgrades that exceed Oregon's standard
building code. In 2005, 96 buildings participated in
the program. The combined annual energy savings from
the 165 projects is 17,500,000 kilowatt hours of
electricity and 612,000 therms of natural gas.
"Constructing and renovating to high performance
standards from the beginning allows Oregon businesses to
reduce energy consumption significantly, lower costs and
decrease carbon emissions that contribute to global
warming," said Spencer Moersfelder, business sector
manager, Energy Trust.
Read more about Energy Trust's New Buildings program
STATEWIDE: ENERGY STAR
New Homes gaining traction in the marketplace
More homebuilders—and buyers—are turning to
more energy efficient homes, such as those built under
the ENERGY STAR New Homes program offered through
Energy Trust. There were 1,113 ENERGY STAR New Homes
completed in the Oregon service territories of Portland
General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade
Natural Gas in 2006. That's up from 237 homes completed
in 2005, the first full year of the program.
"With the housing market slowing to a less frantic
pace, our trade ally builders are saying that the
energy performance of their homes is becoming a bigger
issue with their customers," said Kendall Youngblood,
residential sector manager, Energy Trust.
Read more about ENERGY STAR New Homes
TRADE ALLIES OF THE MONTH:
Palmer Homes, Bend and Summerfield Homes, West Linn
The Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes program has
recognized two Energy Trust trade ally homebuilders for
their outstanding performance.
Palmer Homes received the Oregon Large Home Builder
of the Year Award. The Bend builder completed 85 ENERGY
STAR qualified homes in 2006 and made optimum use of
ENERGY STAR marketing support materials. In addition, Palmer installed compact
fluorescent lightbulbs in 100 percent of the fixtures in
completed homes, dramatically improving the energy
efficiency of each dwelling. Summerfield Homes received
the Oregon Small Home Builder of the Year Award as a
result of completing 16 ENERGY STAR qualified homes and
launching a web page dedicated to ENERGY STAR New Homes
and green building on its website. The company's efforts
didn't go unnoticed. Summerfield's homes were also
featured in the Forest Grove News Times "Living in Green
Houses" feature.
Read more about Palmer Homes and Summerfield Homes
PROMOTIONS
Energy Trust offers special incentives throughout the
year to encourage Oregonians to choose energy efficient
products and install efficient and renewable features
in their homes and businesses.
Savings with a Spin
Home Energy Analyzer
Home Energy Reviews
IN THE NEWS
STATEWIDE: Solar panels power small dairy
Capital Press
PORTLAND: Pacific Power buying woody biomass for energy
The Business Journal
WILLAMETTE VALLEY: 'Green' home listings will generate demand
Statesman Journal
WASHINGTON COUNTY: New Tigard pumps reduce energy use
Valley Times
MULTNOMAH COUNTY: Conservation agency gives away sprayers to local restaurants
East County News
