April 11,2012
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College Spotlight special
Page 9
edition
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Sustainability',
East County Help with Solar Options
Energy efficient
program brings
economic and
environmental
benefits
Solar Gresham is for residents to
learn about solar energy and renew
able energy options. The solar in
stallation program is also available
to the neighboring communities of
Fairview, Troutdale and Wood Vil
lage.
"Solar Gresham is at the core of
the C ity 's co m m itm en t to
sustainability as we continue to
make opportunities available that
benefit the community and support
the reg io n a l eco n o m y ," said
Gresham Councilor John Kilian.
Gresham resident Shannon Martin (left) talks with Imagine Energy
S o lar
G resh am
o ffers sta ff during a solar site assessment at his Gresham home.
Energy Trust
Appliance
Rebates
Offers recycling
and cash for
old models
Phyllis Greer's 1 9 3 7 GE fridge
was declared Oregon's oldest
W hether for grocery bulk buys or fridge in an Energy Trust promotion
chilling those extra drinks, that second to eliminate energy-wasting
fridge in the garage or basement might fridges.
be using up more than extra space. It freezer is an easy energy-efficient ac
could be using up hundreds of dollars tion, and can make an immediate differ
on the household budget.
ence on the monthly energy bill.”
Many people are surprised to learn
Keeping an inefficient second fridge
that fridges and freezers built in 1993 or running for food storage can add up
earlier can cost up to $200 a year to quickly in extra energy costs. For ex
operate. T hat’s a lot com pared to ample, an average 19 cubic foot side-
today’s most efficient, qualifying En by-side model from 1989 will cost ap
ergy Star models that could cost around proximately $ 1,195 if left to run in the
$40 a year.
garage for five years.
To help Oregonians unplug and
All Oregon customers of Portland
save this spring, Energy Trust of Or General Electric and Pacific Power are
egon is offering area residents an op eligible for the recycling service and
portunity to recycle their fridge or can schedule an appointment online at
freezer and receive a $40 cash incentive energytrust.org/fridgerecycling or by
in return. Pick up is free, and the unit calling 1-866-444-8907.Toqualify,the
can be hauled from any room in the refrigerator or freezer must be between
home.
10 and 30 cubic feet and in working
“While an older fridge may seem condition.
handy as a back up in the basement or
Customers looking for a replace
garage, most are not worth the ongoing ment can receive up to a $100 cash
cost to keep around,” said Matt Braman, incentive from Energy Trust when pur
residential program manager, Energy chasing a new high-efficiency, qualify
Trust. “Recycling a second fridge or ing Energy Star refrigerator or freezer.
homeowners solar installation at a
reduced cost. Solar contractor Imag
ine Energy of Portland is able to
offer a bulk rate, discounted price
through its partnership with the city.
Solar Gresham is available until July
31 and includes a free site assess
ment, solar at 80 percent or more off
the cost and installation.
"This is a great opportunity for
Gresham residents to participate in
producing renewable solar energy
locally while protecting the envi
ronment and realizing long-term
energy cost savings," said Dan Blue,
G resham ’s recycling and solid
waste manager.
It's also an ideal time to take ad
vantage of federal and state tax cred
its and solar incentives through the
Energy Trust of Oregon while they're
available.
For example, a 3.29kW solar sys
tem that costs around $15,900 is re
duced to about $2,500 out-of-pocket
after tax credits and incentives. A
second option, where the homeowner
pays the contractor upfront for 20
years of solar energy and system
maintenance, costs $6,000 and is re
duced to $0 out-of-pocket after state
tax credits over four years.
Free solar workshops explaining
the basic technology, benefits and
cost of solar will be offered at the
Gresham Public Library, 385 N.W.
Miller Ave. Workshop dates are
Saturday, April 21, from 3-4:30 p.m.:
and Saturday, May 5, from 11 a.m.to
12:30 p.m. To attend call Nicole
Cousino at 503-618-2485.
Solar Gresham is an American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act
funded program and one of the City's
Energy Efficiency Conservation
Block Grant initiatives.
For more information about Solar
Gresham, including pricing and to
apply, visit GreshamOregon.gov/
SolarG resham.
Charging Sites at the Rose Quarter
New public facilities
are available for
electric vehicles
Portland Trail Blazers President Larry Miller
and Christenson Electric President Mark Walter
got an assist from Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber to
unveil what is now the region's largest publicly
available electric vehicle charging site.
Through a partnership with Christenson Elec
tric, the team has added 10 level-2 Blink charging
stations to the Rose Quarter parking facilities.
Eight of the 10 stations are in the Garden Garage.
The two others are in the Annex Garage on the
southwest side of the Rose Quarter campus. All
10 stations are located on the preferred levels of
their respective parking garages.
"We are proud to be in a position to add these
charging stations to our campus," said Miller, at
last m onth’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. "It not
only aligns with the sustainability goals we have
as an organization, it reflects what the NBA is
doing in the area of sustainability. Being leaders
in the greening of sports is an ongoing commit
ment we are passionate about."
Electric vehicle charging station nodes, like
the Rose Quarter, are positioned to help further
the infrastructure needed to develop a low-emis
sion transportation future.
Fans and guests can charge their vehicles
while attending an event, or use the nearby public
transportation to enjoy the city while charging.
“Between the Trail Blazers' investment here at
the Rose Garden, to the installation of charging
stations up and down the 1-5 'Green Electric
Highway,' Oregon is establishing reliable and
Gov. John Kitzhaber and Portland Trail
Blazers President Larry M iller at a ribbon
cutting ceremony for new electric vehicle
charging stations that are available for
public use in the Rose Quarter parking
garages.
efficient infrastructure for electric vehicles," said
Governor Kitzhaber. “We appreciate the Trail
Blazers' commitment to helping their fans and all
Oregonians access cutting-edge technology that
will help us continue to consume less gasoline per
capita than the national average."
The first electric vehicle to arrive at an event at
the Rose Garden will receive free parking in the
garage. Additionally, there will be no fee for
charging electric vehicles for approximately the
next 90 days.