PORTLAND: Multnomah County
approves landmark green energy deal
Multnomah County will install the largest solar installation
in the Northwest on three county buildings. The project
will generate approximately one million kilowatt hours of
electricity per year, about two to three percent of the
total energy used by the county. SunEdison LLC of Maryland
will build, own and operate the solar photovoltaic system
and sell the power output to Multnomah County under a 20-year
purchase power agreement. The solar installations on the Juvenile
Justice Complex, the John B. Yeon Building and the
Multnomah Building are slated to begin operating by the
end of 2008. "Multnomah County has redefined the boundaries
for finding sustainable energy at the most competitive
prices. The County's efforts are key to growing the solar
industry in Oregon and provide a terrific model that other
governments and businesses can easily follow," said Peter
West, director of renewable energy, Energy Trust.
Pictured from left to right: Warren Fish (Multnomah
County), Betsy Kauffman (Energy Trust), Peter West (Energy
Trust), Jeff Cogen (Multnomah County Commissioner), Dean
Funke (Portland General Electric), Joe Reinhart (Oregon Solar
Energy Industries Association), and Scott Reed (SunEdison).
Read more about Multnomah County's solar installation
PORTLAND: Biogas to help power
wastewater treatment plant
The City of Portland recently dedicated two engine generators
at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant. The generators will
use 70 percent of the plant's one million cubic feet of biogas to
generate electricity. The system will produce up to 1.7 megawatts
of electric power, enough to power 1,000 homes. Energy generated
by the project will reduce the treatment plant's annual energy
costs by about 40 percent. "The clean energy generated
saves the city more than $700,000 a year in energy costs and
helps reach other important environmental goals, including reducing
greenhouse gas emissions," said John Reynolds, president of
Energy Trust's board of directors. Most of the funding for the
$8 million project comes from sewer user fees collected by
Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services. Energy Trust's
$362,000 cash incentive offsets project costs.
Read more about the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant
STATEWIDE: Annual Report highlights progress
Energy Trust results for electricity and natural gas savings
hit new highs in 2007 as Oregonians embraced the need and
opportunity for more clean energy. Since June 2002, a quarter
million Oregon homeowners and businesses have invested in
energy efficiency improvements and clean renewable energy
with the help of Energy Trust and reduced Oregon's carbon
footprint by four million tons. Check out these facts and
the participant stories behind them in Energy Trust's
2007 Annual Report. "We accomplished our goals while supporting
the growth of more than 800 Oregon trade ally contractors
contributing to Oregon's economy in communities across the
state," said Margie Harris, executive director, Energy Trust. "We
are privileged to collaborate with Oregon's premier energy,
business, consumer and environmental organizations."
Order a copy of the 2007 Annual Report
Read the full 2007 Annual Report
STATEWIDE: Auto services initiative cruising for energy savings
Rising energy costs can put a serious dent in an auto
service shop's bottom line. To help the auto services
industry drive up energy—and dollar—savings, Energy
Trust has launched an auto services initiative. Cash
incentives are available for natural gas and HVAC equipment,
lighting and lighting controls, solar electric and solar
water heating systems, kitchen equipment and windows.
Rasumussen BMW/Mini in Portland recently upgraded to T8
lighting and will install a six-ton, energy-efficient HVAC
unit. "We are very conscientious of our energy load on the
environment, so the energy savings from these upgrades
were very attractive," said Amy Rasmussen, sales manager,
Rasmussen BMW/Mini.
Read more about Energy Trust's auto services initiative
STATEWIDE: Energy Trust launches pilot for Energy Performance Certificate
Energy Trust is piloting a study to determine how an energy-evaluation
tool, called the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), could
improve the overall efficiency of Oregon's new and existing
homes and reduce the amount of carbon emissions homes
contribute to global warming. The goal
of the EPC is to show homeowners how their home's energy
use compares to typical energy used in an older home, a new
home built to meet the Oregon building code, and a home that
is more efficient than code requires. "I am hoping the tool
becomes the standard way for homeowners to understand how
their home performs, just like the yellow ENERGY STAR®
sticker on an appliance," said Kendall Youngblood, residential
sector manager, Energy Trust. Energy Trust is underwriting
the cost of the study and working with Earth Advantage®
trained contractors to conduct the pilot.
Read more about the Energy Performance Certificate pilot
TRADE ALLY OF THE MONTH: Glenn Sheppard Construction Services, Inc.
Owners Glenn and Heidi Sheppard were looking for a way to
rise above the pack when they started their general
contracting business in 2000. For Glenn Sheppard Construction,
becoming an Energy Trust trade ally in both the existing
homes and multifamily programs was one of the reasons they
were able to separate themselves from the competition. "Our
relationship with Energy Trust has been excellent, in our
marketing efforts and in getting referrals from the Web site,"
said Allen Beck, marketing director. "We also value the
ability to network and partner with other Energy Trust
trade allies." Glenn Sheppard Construction completes many
residential and multifamily projects in a typical year. But
this is no typical year, especially in the construction
business. "The residential market is 'cautious' this year,
but ironically, that market segment can benefit the most from
energy-efficient upgrades," said Beck. "The Energy Trust
incentives and state rebates for multifamily projects cover
a big part of the total project cost and are a huge draw
for our customers."
Read Glenn Sheppard Construction's profile in the Trade Ally directory
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.
Energy Trust promotions
IN THE NEWS
PORTLAND: Sewage plant generating own power
Portland Tribune
STATEWIDE: Sun, sun, sun here it comes
Oregon Business Magazine
STATEWIDE: Oregon's Washington County grows sustainability
The Oregonian
PORTLAND: City, district inch forward with Rieke Elementary solar project
Southwest Community Connection
SOUTHERN OREGON: Lifestyle includes straw built house and veggie oil for cars
Upper Rogue Independent
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