STATEWIDE: Advertising
campaign empowers Oregonians to manage rising energy costs
Starting this month, Oregonians will see and hear a
new message from Energy Trust: You Can. In a series of
print, radio and online advertisements, Energy Trust aims
to help residential and commercial utility customers
understand that they can manage rising energy costs by
changing the way they use energy. Energy Trust designed the
campaign, in coordination with Portland General Electric,
Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas, to help
Oregonians cope with rising utility rates this fall and
winter. The ads will run September through November, 2008,
and January through March, 2009. A rate increase of 25
percent will affect NW Natural customers starting
November 1, 2008. Cascade Natural Gas customers will see a
rate increase of 11 percent in January, while PGE has
requested a rate increase of 11 to 12 percent to start in
January.
Read more about Energy Trust's new advertising campaign
STATEWIDE: Energy Trust
named Oregon Lodging Association Industry Partner of the
Year
Oregon Lodging Association (OLA) awarded Energy Trust
with a Stars of the Industry award for 2008. Lyn Schmidt of
Energy Trust was recognized as the Industry Partner of the
Year. Each year, OLA recognizes individuals who have
demonstrated outstanding performance, commitment and
achievement in the hospitality industry. Lyn Schmidt is
the business development manager for Energy Trust.
Nominated by her peers, Lyn has a special ability to
exceed the expectations of her customers, suggest creative
solutions and serve as the ultimate energy efficiency
resource for Oregon's lodging industry. The awards will be
presented Monday, October 6, 2008 during OLA's conference
at Sunriver Resort.
Learn more about OLA's Stars of the Industry awards
PORTLAND: Students build and sell two
ENERGY STAR® new homes
Student builders at two local high schools completed their
first ENERGY STAR new homes. The Construction Technology
classes at Benson Polytechnic and Forest Grove high schools
worked with Energy Trust's Technical School Outreach
initiative to build homes using state-of-the-art building
science strategies. Students were actively involved in
everything from home design and construction to placing the
energy-efficient appliances. They worked with teachers,
green building experts and local construction professionals
to install energy-efficient windows and insulation,
high-performance heating and ventilation systems, and
ENERGY STAR lighting and appliances. The students also
learned how to test for and seal leaks in the homes and
the heating systems. Both homes, now listed for sale, are ENERGY STAR qualified
to provide their future homeowners with energy savings of
up to 15 percent over typical new-construction homes.
Read more about the student-built ENERGY STAR new homes
STATEWIDE: New addition to Energy Trust Trade Ally Network
The newest addition to Energy Trust's Trade Ally Network
closes the loop between home builders and homebuyers.
The Real Estate Professional Trade Ally Network is a
collaboration between Energy Trust and Earth Advantage®.
There are 33 Real Estate Professional trade allies, with
more joining every day. These new trade allies receive
training and tools to become on-the-ground resources to
help homebuyers look for energy-efficient homes and
features and learn no-cost and low-cost energy-saving tips.
To learn more about joining the Real Estate Professional
Trade Ally Network and become a resource for your
energy-conscious customers, visit the Energy Trust Web site.
View a list of Real Estate Professional trade allies
TRADE ALLY OF THE MONTH: Phillip Norman Attic Access
Phil Norman had been thinking about starting up his
business, Attic Access, for many years, but it all
came together when he renovated his girlfriend's attic to
make it safe, attractive and functional. Attic Access
specializes in improving an attic's usability and installs
batt insulation, decking, lighting, wall hatches and
gasketed, insulated ladders. Started in 2005, Attic Access
serves the Portland metro area. To help maintain good
business credibility and be a part of reviewing
specifications, Phil became an Energy Trust trade ally. He
attends roundtables and trade ally trainings and promotes
the Home Energy Solutions program to his customers. "Energy
Trust is important as a source of direction and
encouragement to my customers," said Norman. "They respect
the programs Energy Trust offers and the incentives
available." Attic Access also seeks to collaborate with
other trade allies, and for HVAC contractors working in an
attic, Phil will create safe access and build a properly
insulated furnace platform.
Read the Attic Access profile in the Trade Ally directory
EASTERN OREGON: Workshop
delivers innovative building science training
The House as a System approach to energy
management is a new way of thinking about home energy use.
At a workshop in LaGrande on September 10, Energy Trust
trade allies learned about state-of-the-art residential
building science principles and best practices in
energy-efficient and durable building and remodeling.
The goal is to understand better how heat, air and moisture
work within homes and how the performance of an entire
building is influenced by the interaction of all its
systems.
"This training was very valuable in helping our trade
allies serve their customers," said Kendall Youngblood,
residential program manager, Energy Trust. "Homeowners are
more aware of the need and opportunity to choose a home
that's built for energy performance." The workshop was led
by building science technical experts from Energy Trust's
Home Energy Solutions program.
Read more about Energy Trust trainings and events
STATEWIDE: USDA Rural
Development awards Oregon applicants energy grants
Eighteen Oregon applicants received energy grants from the
USDA Rural Energy for America program. Grants are
distributed nationwide. Oregon received the eighth highest
number of awards and the 12th largest total dollar amount
at $646,677. Energy grants are matching grants for rural
small businesses and agricultural producers to purchase
and install renewable energy systems or energy-efficiency
improvements. Nationwide, more than 1,100 applications were
submitted; 750 grants totaling about $34 million were
awarded. Photo courtesy of Oregon Dairy Farmers Association.
Learn more about the USDA Rural Development Awards program
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
STATEWIDE: Oregon governor looks to energy future
The Oregonian
PORTLAND: Rising utility rates won't spur building upgrades
Daily Journal of Commerce
STATEWIDE: Energy efficiency scores
Sustainable Industries
PORTLAND: Reduce, recycle: refrigerator
Sustainable Life section of Gresham Outlook
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