STATEWIDE: Governor signs Oregon Renewable Energy Act
The Oregon Renewable Energy Act (SB 838), signed by Governor
Kulongoski June 6, 2007, opens a new
chapter in Oregon's clean energy history. The act
requires Oregon's largest utilities to meet 25 percent
of their electric load with new renewable energy sources,
in interim steps: 5 percent by 2011, 15 percent by 2015,
20 percent by 2020, and 25 percent by 2025.
To meet these requirements, electricity must come
from a new renewable energy source that was in operation
on or after January 1, 1995. Sources of energy may
include wind, solar, wave, geothermal, biomass, new
hydro or efficiency upgrades to existing hydro
facilities.
Especially important to Energy Trust, the act:
- Extends through 2025 the life of the public purpose charge that helps fund Energy Trust programs.
- Dedicates the renewable energy portion of the public purpose charge to renewable energy projects of 20 megawatts or less after 2007.
- Authorizes the Oregon Public Utility Commission to let utility rates include the cost of energy conservation measures above and beyond those funded by the public purpose charge; these costs may not be charged to or benefit retail electric consumers with a load greater than one average megawatt.
PORTLAND: Benson High
School students learn tomorrow's building science
A group of Benson High School students is building a
piece of their future in Southeast Portland, but it's
not your typical high school class. The home will be the
first with the Construction Technology program built to
the high standards of ENERGY STAR® Homes.
The program is the only one of its kind in Portland
schools and has strong support from the Oregon
Building Congress and Energy Trust's Technical School
Outreach initiative.
Read more about the Benson High School project
MOLALLA: Molalla High School basks in clean energy glow
The community of Molalla came together to kick off a
campaign to increase sustainability and support clean
energy. Molalla High School dedicated its new one-kilowatt
solar photovoltaic system and hosted a Clean Energy,
Green Technology Fair featuring 16 exhibits by local
companies on May 30. Energy Trust of Oregon, Portland
General Electric and the Bonneville Environmental
Foundation collaborated to introduce solar power to the
Molalla High School students, teachers, and community
through the Solar 4 R Schools program. Pictured from
left are Randy Batchelor, Bonneville Environmental Foundation;
Kacia Brockman, Energy Trust of Oregon;
Thor Hinkley, Portland General Electric.
Read more about the Molalla High School solar project
STATEWIDE: Save the date for Northwest Solar Expo
The latest in clean energy options for your home or
business will be on display at the Northwest Solar Expo,
September 14-16 at the Oregon Convention Center in
Portland. The expo offers workshops, exhibitors and
seminars for homeowners and business owners interested
in clean energy solutions for their homes and buildings.
Energy Trust of Oregon is a gold sponsor of the annual
event.
Read more about NW Solar Expo
STATEWIDE: Energy Trust 2006 Annual Report now available
Energy Trust of Oregon's 2006 Annual Report is hot off
the presses. In addition to capturing all the facts and
figures that document our collective success, it
includes the stories behind the savings with profiles of
seven participants who used Energy Trust incentives to
make their businesses and homes more efficient, more
productive or more comfortable.
Here's a look at some of the highlights—we exceeded
our electric energy savings goal by 11 percent and
increased gas savings by three quarters compared to 2005.
Renewable resource programs were successful in filling
the pipeline with major projects that are expected to
generate 41 average megawatts by the end of this calendar
year. Since our inception, we've provided $92 million to
help Oregonians save and generate over 1.2 billion
annual kWh of electricity and save over 4 million annual
therms of natural gas. That equates to removing over 2
billion pounds of CO2 from our atmosphere—the same
as removing 183,000 cars from the road.
Download a copy of the Annual Report
TRADE ALLY OF THE MONTH: Central Air
As a leader in the energy efficiency market,
Central Air, Inc., truly believes in going green.
According to co-owner Andrew Scheidt, "Our passion for
saving energy allows us to do a better job for
customers who want to take that extra step to save
energy." Central Air is a Certified Performance Tester
for Energy Trust's ENERGY STAR New Homes program, with
a focus on residential new construction, retrofits and
light commercial projects.
Read Central Air's profile in the Trade Ally directory
STATEWIDE: Energy Trust co-sponsors bonus solar incentive
To encourage Oregonians to go solar now, Energy Trust
and the City of Portland Office of Sustainable
Development are co-sponsoring a summer promotion that provides
eligible participants with a cash back incentive of
$100 for a solar water heating system, and $200 for a
solar electric system when they sign a contract with a
solar trade ally. These are bonus incentives in addition
to regular incentives and state and federal tax
credits paid upon completion of the project or
filing of taxes.
In order to receive this limited time
offer, participants must attend one of the free Basics
of Going Solar workshops or request a Solar Now!
information packet from the Office of Sustainable
Development's website.
Click here for a list of workshop dates and locations
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
IN THE NEWS
SALEM: Winery harvests solar power
Statesman-Journal
SALEM: Oregon's energy efficiency rates high
Statesman-Journal
NORTHWEST: Energy Trust invests $5 million in Warm Springs Biomass Project
Columbia Basin Energy Report
BEAVERTON: Energy Trusts boosts solar incentives
Valley Times
