WHAT: Grand opening of the Iron Horse Lodge, a new low-income senior housing development. The 26-unit project exceeds Oregon energy efficiency code by at least 40 percent and will generate its own solar energy, with the goal of getting as close as possible to net-zero energy use for the facility. Net zero buildings, over the course of a year, only consume the amount of energy produced on site.

Iron Horse Lodge was developed by Pacific Crest Affordable Housing, a Bend-based developer, with cash incentives and guidance from Energy Trust of Oregon.

WHEN: Thursday, May 5, 11 a.m. to Noon

WHERE: Iron Horse Lodge

435 NE Wayfinder Drive

Prineville, OR 97754

WHO: More than 100 attendees, including:

* Community development leaders

* Regional economic development leaders from Economic Development for Central Oregon

* Jessica Iplikci, New Buildings manager, Energy Trust

VISUALS:

* Tours of the new building

* A big check will be presented by Energy Trust to Pacific Crest Affordable Housing for the energy-efficiency features included in the Iron Horse Lodge building

BACKGROUND:

Pacific Crest Affordable Housing, a Bend-based developer of housing for low-income seniors, set out to make a highly energy-efficient multifamily building to keep operating costs low and more predictable for residents. Accomplishing this required incorporating a number of energy-efficient features, many of which were supported with incentives by Energy Trust.

Iron Horse Lodge enrolled in Energy Trust’s Path to Net Zero initiative and received support from the very first early design assistance meeting all the way to the end of the project.

Energy Trust’s Path to Net Zero guided the design team at Pacific Crest Affordable Housing through a series of steps, beginning with early design assistance and a facilitated design workshop to help them identify goals and challenges at the outset, with the full building team involved.

Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping utility customers benefit from saving energy and generating renewable power. Our services, cash incentives and energy solutions have helped participating customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas save $2.3 billion on energy bills. Our work helps keep energy costs as low as possible, creates jobs and builds a sustainable energy future. Learn more at www.energytrust.org or call 1-866-368-7878.