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Portland, Seattle Receive Stimulus Funds for Solar Projects

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Portland and Seattle are among 16 U.S. cities receiving grant funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for what are called Solar America Cities Special Projects.

The federal Department of Energy announced Oct. 9 a total of $10 million in such awards. Portland's share is $400,000. The cities are taking slightly different approaches, but both are using the money to increase the amount of solar electricity generated within city limits.

Portland will use the two-year grant to provide the technical and staff support needed to expand its Neighborhood Solar Initiative, described as "a complementary suite of neighborhood-focused activities and programs designed to lower the barriers to solar installations for residents."

"We're very excited by the traction we're gaining in Portland for solar," said Lee Rahr, residential solar program coordinator for the city. "We want to continue to help increase that demand." Rahr said the grant will enable the city to expand the Solarize Portland program, which is in the process of getting residential PV systems installed in southeast Portland neighborhoods (CU No. 1408 [7/19]). The project grouped interested homeowners together to purchase the systems in bulk and worked with a single contractor, thereby lowering the price. It was spearheaded by Southeast Uplift, a coalition of southeast Portland neighborhoods and community volunteers.

"The work they'll be doing will support lots of community-based approaches to making solar more readily available to Portland and Oregonians," said Lizzie Rubado, residential solar project manager for the Energy Trust of Oregon--one of the partners in the initiative. "Part of that is using the Solarize Portland model, expanding that and making it available to other communities in the Portland metro area."

Neighborhoods in Northeast Portland are showing some interest in the Solarize Portland approach, Rahr said, and her office will be providing some support to their efforts. "Our hope is to support the (neighborhood) coalition offices with issuing RFPs, providing program and technical support," she said.

Grant funding will also be used to support the city's SolarNow neighborhood outreach project, which is developing a marketing toolkit for educating and training solar volunteers across Oregon.

The money will also add solar projects to the city's Clean Energy Works program, which allows homeowners to finance weatherization projects through their utility bills, rather than in a lump-sum, up-front payment.

Besides the Energy Trust, other partners in the Neighborhood Solar Initiative include the Oregon Department of Energy, Solar Oregon and PGE, the city said. Its goal is to add an additional 600 KW of installed residential PV capacity by the end of 2011.

Nissan zero emission LEAF tour coming to Portland this week

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tired of just reading about the 1,000 Nissan LEAF zero-emission electric cars headed to Portland next year? Want to actually to get within touching (and driving) distance of what so far seems like the best alternative to your petrol-powered ride?

Well, get ready to RSVP. The LEAF's Zero Emission Tour -- where average commuters get to check out a car that Nissan is treating like a carnival ride -- hits the Portland area this week.

Go to the Hard Drive commuting blog to get the details, take�the Oregonian's�LEAF poll and comment.

Council Busts Energy Efficiency Myths

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The average person today is inundated with messages about saving energy. Unfortunately too many messages perpetuate long-standing myths, making it difficult to sort out good advice from bad. ACEEE has compiled a list of myth-busters to help separate energy savings fact from energy wasting fiction.

MYTHBUSTING FACT #1: Turning off lights, even for short periods of time, really saves energy, with little impact on the lifespan of the bulb.� Turn off the lights even when you're leaving a room for just a few minutes.

MYTHBUSTING FACT #2: Today's compact fluorescent lightbulbs work just as well as incandescents, and are just as safe. CFLs have come a long way in terms of quality and variety, and use a fraction of the energy of incandescent bulbs. Look for the ENERGY STAR label to ensure high quality bulbs, and try out different color varieties to find the one you like best ("soft white" most closely mimics the color of an incandescent). As for safety, even if a bulb breaks in your house authorities suggest that there is not enough mercury in the bulb to present a substantial health hazard. That being said, efforts should be taken to dispose of CFLs properly.

MYTHBUSTING FACT #3: Don't spend time warming up the car when it's cold outside. While it is best to avoid stressing the car while the engine is cold, simply drive a bit more "gently" for the first few minutes. Also, idling a modern car always wastes more energy than turning it off (even for short periods of time).

MYTHBUSTING FACT #4: Turn down the thermostat while you're away from the house for the day. If you are out for a good stretch of time (say 8 hours or so), this temperature "set-back" will save more energy than it will take to bring your home back to the desired temperature. (Note: If you have a heat pump, make sure you have a heat pump thermostat designed for your heat pump, and that it has been properly programmed.)

MYTHBUSTING FACT #5: Don't forget the simple maintenance needed to keep your heating and air-conditioning systems running efficiently. Change the air filter regularly (once a month during heating and cooling season) and get a "tune-up" by a contractor every 2 to 3 years.

More facts

EPA recognizes Intel, The Joinery for renewable power support

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Two PGE renewable power customers, Intel and The Joinery, have been recognized�for their support of renewable energy by the Environmental Protection Agency. Intel was�singled out�as a Green Power Partner of the year and The Joinery was also recognized.

Read�a full list of award receipients and learn more about the awards.

Electric Vehicle Web site launches for Oregon participation

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec) has finalized a $100 million grant contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to embark on the largest�Electric Vehicle project in U.S. History. The contract includes rolling out more than 10,000 charging stations and nearly 5,000 Nissan LEAF Electric Vehicles next year in five states: Arizona, California, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington.

The Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec) has launched a Web site,�www.theEVproject.com, where you can learn more about the project, sign up to purchase a Nissan LEAF, and sign up to receive free vehicle charging equipment at your home or business.

PGE's residential green power program No. 1 nationally for fourth year

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Program nears 70,000 customers

For the fourth year in a row, Portland General Electric (PGE) sold more renewable power to residential customers than any other utility in the United States. That's according to the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which today released its annual rankings of the nation's top utility green pricing programs.

PGE residential customers purchased nearly 530 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy in 2008, 18 percent more than in 2007.

Also in 2008, the total number of PGE renewable power customers neared 70,000 for the first time, an increase of more than 12 percent since 2007. This includes residential and commercial customers.

"PGE's customers continue to set the standard for their support of renewable energy," said Thor Hinckley, PGE renewable power program manager. "Oregonians are committed to doing their part to be green and help protect the environment."

Read the entire press release.

Nissan joins PGE and Oregon to promote hybrid charging network

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Nissan joins PGE and Oregon to promote charging network

�The Renault-Nissan Alliance announced Nov. 19 at the Los Angeles Auto Show that Nissan is forming a partnership with PGE and the State of Oregon to advance zero-emission mobility by promoting the development of an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Network.

�"We're committed to playing a leadership role in bringing a zero-emission transportation option to Oregon residents and businesses," said Peggy Fowler, CEO and president, PGE. "With this network of stations, we see a lot of potential for our customers and for our business in the future."

�Earlier this year, Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and Renault, SA, committed the alliance to becoming a global leader in zero-emission vehicles (ZEV). Nissan plans to introduce ZEVs in the United States in 2010 and will mass market the vehicles globally two years later.

�"This partnership represents a major step toward reliable zero-emission mobility in Oregon," Ghosn said. "Together, we are creating conditions that will encourage consumers to consider an electric vehicle as an attractive choice that is also good for the planet."

�As part of the partnership agreement, Nissan will make a supply of ZEVs available to PGE and the State of Oregon in 2010 and work with the state to develop plans to promote the charging network.�Click here to�read Nissan's press release about the partnership.

�"Today's announcement shows that a state can create economic opportunity from its commitment to a greener future and the fight against global warming," said Gov. Ted Kulongoski. "Oregon welcomes Nissan and is pleased to help lead the way in the transition to new, greener vehicle technologies. By partnering with Nissan and Portland General Electric, we can work together to build a consistent and reliable refueling infrastructure so consumers can make the switch to electric vehicles."

�PGE, as part of its plug-in vehicle initiative, is striving to find innovative solutions to Oregon's transportation and energy challenges through the development of a model charging station infrastructure, as well as identifying its infrastructure needs related to vehicle-to-grid technology.

�Over the past several months, PGE has installed six charging stations - capable of charging several dozen vehicles - around the Portland and Salem areas, and more are in the works.� Click here to find out more about PGE's�electric hybrid vehicle initiative.

DOE ranks PGE No. 1 in U.S. for number of renewable power customers

Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) has more renewable power customers than any other utility in the United States. That's according to the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which today released its annual rankings of the nation's top utility green pricing programs.�

At the end of 2009, PGE had nearly 73,000 business and residential renewable customers, or 10.2 percent of its eligible customers, enrolled in a PGE renewable power program, which is well over the national average of 2 percent participation rate for other utilities.

This marks the first time PGE has received NREL's No. 1 ranking for number of business and residential renewable power customers. PGE also continues to hold NREL's top spot for selling more renewable power to residential customers than any other utility in the United States.

"Oregon is gaining a reputation as a leader in renewable energy resources, and PGE customers are pointing the way," said Carol Dillin, vice president, customers and economic development, PGE.

"They're making a conscious effort to reduce their environmental impact in their homes and businesses, and PGE is working to make it easier for them by providing a variety of renewable power options," Dillin added.

"This elevates Oregon's status as a leader in sustainability," said Mark Long, director of the Oregon Department of Energy.� "We want to thank everyone who has invested not only in renewable energy, but in Oregon's future."

Read the rest of the article...

Solar company chooses Gresham

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Solexant will hire 170 workers, plans to grow to 1,000

Gresham's extensive efforts to attract green-energy companies are paying off in a big way. On Tuesday, officials from the city and the state of Oregon will announce that California-based Solexant will build a manufacturing plant in Gresham, creating what is expected to be an initial work force of 170 employees.

The number of jobs is predicted to increase to 1,000 over a period of years, as Solexant grows with the rapidly expanding solar industry.

Solexant manufactures thin-film solar cells, and the company says its process dramatically increases solar efficiency and lowers manufacturing costs.

Gresham and state officials have been negotiating with the company for less than a year, trying to land the facility for Gresham. The announcement, set for 2:15 p.m. Tuesday at Gresham City Hall, will mark the latest - and the largest - in a series of solar-related plant sitings for East Multnomah County.

Solexant is expected to receive incentives for locating in Gresham, including a targeted state loan and a state-sponsored energy tax credit.

Renewable Northwest Project launches Green Jobs & Education section online

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Renewable Northwest Project is a broad coalition of public-interest organizations and energy companies that actively promote development of our region's untapped renewable resources.� RNP recently published a new section on its Web site devoted to renewable jobs and education. This section offers resources for job seekers and students looking for employment in the renewable sector. In addition to job facts, you'll also find information for educators and businesses interested in developing internship opportunities.

�

"We hope that the resources on our Web site will assist people in engaging in the clean energy economy, which we believe will lead the region out of this recession," says Rachel Shimshak, Director at RNP.

The site provides information about job growth in our region, renewable energy career job titles and links to other Web sites with job postings.� The section also provides information and links to internship opportunities for students and entry-level job seekers.� Finally, it provides highlights of education programs and opportunities in the area for those interested in becoming marketable in the growing green economy.� There are several education programs available in our area and jobs for wind technicians and solar engineers are growing as the demand for renewable energy grows.

As a PGE renewable customer, your support of renewable energy is helping to grow this new green economy, providing new income sources for farmers, landowners and rural communities.� Visit RNP at www.rnp.org.

Fish in the city

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Habitat Support customers fund urban creek restoration
It's not easy being a wild fish in the big city. Population growth, pollution and other factors are taking their toll, leaving just a few urban streams to provide healthy refuge for salmon and other wildlife.

But Stephens Creek is an exception. Flowing into the Willamette River at Willamette Park in southwest Portland, it gives salmon smolts coming downstream a place to get out of the big river's current, where the water is cool and the food plenty.

And thanks to a restoration project funded in part by a $15,000 grant from Portland General Electric's Habitat Support customers, Stephens Creek is becoming more beneficial for coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead and other native fish.

Focused where the creek meets the river, the complex project, coordinated by Willamette Riverkeeper, the City of Portland and others, includes removal of an old sewer pipe, creation of side channels and addition of logs and stumps. Results will increase the diversity of fish habitat while re-engineering the stream banks, making them less prone to erosion and more hospitable to native vegetation that provide cooling shade.

Volunteers from local neighborhood associations, such as Michelle Koeppe who recently spent a morning planting trees along the river near the creek's mouth, are already witnessing the project's benefits firsthand.

"I've counted 100 different vertebrate species in this area," Koeppe said. "Considering that we're not too far from downtown Portland, that's pretty amazing."

For an additional $2.50 donation per month, renewable power customers can directly support projects like this by choosing the Habitat Support option. The funds are administered by The Nature Conservancy.

Oregon's first solar-powered highway

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Solar-powered highway

In December, drive by the I-5 and I-205 interchange in Tualatin and you'll see the nation's first Solar Highway demonstration project. It's a joint effort from PGE, the Oregon Department of Transportation and U.S. Bank. The 104-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system will produce about 28 percent of the electricity used to light the interchange.

Learn more about the Solar Highway in our News Room.

Oregon's wave-power farm marks first in nation

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Wave power along Oregon's coast is on its way to being harnessed for "clean" energy, a plan that would make Oregon the first U.S. site with a wave-power farm.

Construction is underway off the Oregon Coast for what would be the nation's first commercial wave-energy farm. Project planners say nine more buoys are planned to deploy at a site in Reedsport by 2012. Total cost for this first wave-energy site is expected to be $60 million.

The wave-energy farm will work like this:

Energy is drawn from waves at the ocean's surface through a network of buoys set up along the coast.
The buoys convert the wave power to electricity.
Submerged cables send the energy to shore.

However, there are drawbacks with this type of energy harvest. The buoys can sink or end up on the beach, creating a tangled mess. Plus, commercial fishers and crabbers get closed out of wave-energy areas as those become no-fish zones.

Because the technology is still being developed, wave power costs five or six times as much as wind power. The Oregon project is being funded in a few ways, by New Jersey-based developer Ocean Power Technologies, by the U.S. Department of Energy, by Oregon tax credits and by money from the Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative.

See KATU's video story

Learn more about wave power

EPA names Lake Oswego a 'green power' community

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Lake Oswego has been named an EPA Green Power Community by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a high rate of renewable energy purchases by local businesses and residents.

About 9 percent of the power consumed in Lake Oswego comes from green energy sources, reducing an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with more than 4,500 passenger cars annually.

Lake Oswego is the 12th community in Oregon and 25th in the nation to receive the honor. It's fifth-largest Green Power Community in the state, consuming almost 35 million kWh of renewable power over the course of a year.

As part of the recognition, Lake Oswego has received two colorful street signs from EPA reading, "Welcome to a Green Power Community. We exceed EPA guidelines for buying clean, renewable energy." The signs will be posted at two entrances to the community, on State Street and Kruse Way.

Mayor Jack D. Hoffman will accept the EPA honor on behalf of the community at the Lake Oswego City Council meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Hoffman has announced the results of a recent green power challenge, which had a goal of signing up 300 new green power customers. The program resulted in 356 new renewable energy customers for Portland General Electric , including 336 residential customers and 20 Lake Oswego business customers.

U.S. Wind Energy Industry Breaks All Records

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - ��The U.S. wind industry broke all previous records by installing nearly 10,000 megawatts (MW) of new generating capacity in 2009 (enough to serve over 2.4 million homes), but still lags in manufacturing, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said today in its Q4 report.

These new projects place wind power neck and neck with natural gas � as the leading source of new electricity generation for the country.� Together, the two sources account for about 80% of the new capacity added in the country last year. ��

"The U.S. wind energy industry shattered all installation records in 2009, chalking up the Recovery Act as a historic success in creating jobs, avoiding carbon, and protecting consumers," said AWEA CEO Denise Bode. "But U.S. wind turbine manufacturing - the canary in the mine -- is down compared to last year's levels, and needs long-term policy certainty and market pull in order to grow.� We need to set hard targets, in the form of a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), in order to provide the necessary stability for manufacturers to expand their U.S. operations and to seize the historic opportunity we have today to build up a thriving renewable energy industry."

Early last year, before the Recovery Act (ARRA), the industry anticipated that in 2009 wind power development might drop by as much as 50% from 2008 levels, with equivalent job losses.� The clear commitment by the President to create clean energy jobs and the swift implementation of ARRA incentives by the Administration in mid-summer reversed the situation. Recovery Act incentives spurred the growth of construction, operations and maintenance, and management jobs, helping the industry to save and create jobs in those sectors and shine as a bright spot in the economy.�

Read the rest of the article...

Portland, Seattle Receive Stimulus Funds for Solar Projects

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Nissan zero emission LEAF tour coming to Portland this week

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Council Busts Energy Efficiency Myths

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

More facts

EPA recognizes Intel, The Joinery for renewable power support

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Electric Vehicle Web site launches for Oregon participation

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

PGE's residential green power program No. 1 nationally for fourth year

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Program nears 70,000 customers

PGE residential customers purchased nearly 530 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy in 2008, 18 percent more than in 2007.

Also in 2008, the total number of PGE renewable power customers neared 70,000 for the first time, an increase of more than 12 percent since 2007. This includes residential and commercial customers.

Nissan joins PGE and Oregon to promote hybrid charging network

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Nissan joins PGE and Oregon to promote charging network

DOE ranks PGE No. 1 in U.S. for number of renewable power customers

Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

"Oregon is gaining a reputation as a leader in renewable energy resources, and PGE customers are pointing the way," said Carol Dillin, vice president, customers and economic development, PGE.

Solar company chooses Gresham

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Solexant will hire 170 workers, plans to grow to 1,000

The number of jobs is predicted to increase to 1,000 over a period of years, as Solexant grows with the rapidly expanding solar industry.

Solexant manufactures thin-film solar cells, and the company says its process dramatically increases solar efficiency and lowers manufacturing costs.

Solexant is expected to receive incentives for locating in Gresham, including a targeted state loan and a state-sponsored energy tax credit.

Renewable Northwest Project launches Green Jobs & Education section online

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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Fish in the city

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"I've counted 100 different vertebrate species in this area," Koeppe said. "Considering that we're not too far from downtown Portland, that's pretty amazing."

Oregon's first solar-powered highway

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Solar-powered highway

Learn more about the Solar Highway in our News Room.

Oregon's wave-power farm marks first in nation

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Energy is drawn from waves at the ocean's surface through a network of buoys set up along the coast.
The buoys convert the wave power to electricity.
Submerged cables send the energy to shore.

See KATU's video story

Learn more about wave power

EPA names Lake Oswego a 'green power' community

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

U.S. Wind Energy Industry Breaks All Records

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Read the rest of the article...