Like their signature red service vans, Christenson Electric is familiar to commercial and industrial businesses in Oregon and southwest Washington. Founded in 1945, the company is one of the largest electrical contractors in the region. As an Energy Trust trade ally contractor, it helps customers install energy-saving equipment, including high-efficiency lighting and lighting controls, energy-efficient motors, drives and HVAC equipment and solar electric systems.

Of the energy-efficiency projects Christenson completed in 2012, 28 were commercial, multifamily and industrial lighting projects that qualified for Energy Trust incentives. Combined, the lighting projects will save customers $200,000 in annual energy costs by trimming 2.8 million kilowatt hours from their electricity use. “As trade allies, we provide value in the form of service and information that saves money and improves lighting quality,” said Kelly Gorham, lighting services division manager, Christenson Electric. “Energy Trust provides huge benefits in the form of a quick turnaround on cash rebates that can make the difference between a company saying yes or no to a project.”