BEND, Ore. — July 1, 2014 — In 2013, Energy Trust of Oregon continued to connect Oregonians with the growing benefits of energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy generation. With technical assistance and cash incentives, the nonprofit helped utility customers make clean energy improvements at 69,000 locations throughout Oregon. Participating families, businesses, manufacturers, farmers, school administrators and other customers benefited by saving $309 million on their utility bills last year.

“Oregonians rely on Energy Trust to help them get more from their energy in their homes and businesses,” said Margie Harris, executive director, Energy Trust. “Each year, we drive innovation and create opportunities for all types of customers to benefit from energy savings and renewable generation.”

In 2013, Energy Trust’s services, incentives and network of 2,700 allied contractors helped customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas make wide-ranging energy improvements, including:

• Energy-saving upgrades in nearly 63,000 newly built homes and existing homes
• Energy-efficiency projects at more than 5,400 commercial businesses, multifamily properties, manufacturing facilities and agricultural operations
• Small-scale renewable energy system installations, including 881 solar electric systems, two biopower projects, two hydropower projects and three wind power projects

Central Oregon customers saved $4.2 million
With help from Energy Trust services, incentives and 125 local trade allies, customers of Pacific Power and Cascade Natural Gas saved $4.2 million on energy bills at 3,484 locations in 2013. Oregon Department of Transportation built a new energy-efficient, solar-powered regional office in Bend. The Central Oregon Builders Association tour of homes featured two high-efficiency homes that outperform state energy code by at least 35 percent. And Bend Broadband built a solar-powered data center that was one of the most efficient in the United States at the time of construction.

See detailed 2013 results and customer success stories at Energy Trust’s 2013 annual report website, www.energytrust.org/annualreport.

Driving clean energy activity throughout Oregon 
“When customers have lower energy bills, it frees up resources that flow into the economy, expanding purchasing power and creating jobs, higher wages and new business income,” said Debbie Kitchin, president of the board of directors, Energy Trust. “Since 2002, Energy Trust has added $3 billion to Oregon’s economy, including $930 million in wages, $180 million in small business income and 2,500 jobs lasting a decade.”

Working with utilities, trade ally contractors, customers and other organizations, Energy Trust exceeded its ambitious 2013 stretch goal for electricity savings with 57.8 average megawatts saved and nearly achieved the stretch goal for natural gas savings with 5.3 million annual therms saved. It progressed toward the renewable generation conservative goal and met or exceeded all Oregon Public Utility Commission performance measures for 2013, keeping administrative and program support costs low at 4 percent.

Energy Trust is a nonprofit organization funded by the utility ratepayers of PGE, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas in Oregon, and NW Natural customers in Washington, and is overseen by a volunteer board of directors. Energy Trust’s 2013 Annual Report showcases achievements and results in communities across. In addition, annual and quarterly reports to the Oregon Public Utility Commission are available on Energy Trust’s website. Learn more at www.energytrust.org or call 1-866-368-7878.