Upcoming Programs

Clean Energy Works Portland
Clean Energy Works Portland is a project of the City of Portland, in collaboration with Multnomah County, ShoreBank Enterprise Cascadia, Energy Trust of Oregon, NW Natural, Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, Work Systems, Inc., and Green For All, intended to enable homeowners to access low-interest, long-term financing for quick, easy and affordable investments in energy efficiency. Its 500-home pilot phase is underway and is expected to be completed by Summer 2010.

The project was seeded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars. The objective is to break down the barriers to widespread adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy retrofits so that we can create jobs, help Portlanders save energy and move the region toward significant reductions in carbon emissions. An estimated 10,000 jobs may created through the retrofit of a projected 100,000 homes in Multnomah County alone. The City, State and multiple jurisdictions throughout Oregon are partnering to appeal to the Federal government for a significant investment through the competitive USDOE Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant application due Dec. 14. It is also hoped that USDOL Pathways out of Poverty training dollars will be directed toward the project.

For more info., please go to: www.cleanenergyworksportland.org

Community Workforce Agreement
On Sept. 30, the Portland City Council endorsed the Clean Energy Works "Community Workforce Agreement," which was forged by unions, community-based organizations, faith groups and others. The unprecedented Agreement calls for creating contracting, subcontracting, training and employment policies that will ensure high-quality work, safe conditions for workers, and strategies for establishing career pathways for low-income and other historically underserved populations. Green For All partnered with the City on the Agreement. To watch a 3-minute video overview and download the Agreement, please visit GreenForAll.org: http://www.greenforall.org/blog/breaking-innovative-new-partnership-in-portland-will-retrofit-500-homes-hire-low-income-workers-and-pioneer-on-bill-financing/?searchterm=community%20workforce%20agreement.

Invitees
1. John Berdes or Adam Zimmerman, ShoreBank Enterprise Cascadia
2. Al DeVita, Laborers
3. John Steffens, Carpenters
4. Maurice Rahming, National Association of Minority Contractors of Oregon
5. Connie Ashbrook, Oregon Tradeswomen
6. Tom Kelly and Brian McVay, Neil Kelly
7. Berenice Lopez-Dorsey, HELP Inc.
8. Adam Capage and family, owners of first home audited in Clean Energy Works (Neil Kelly was contractor)
9. Debbie Menashe, Energy Trust of Oregon

Helpful Links

Our goal is to HELP educate Portland metro area homeowners about cost saving home improvements and energy efficiencies, to help create a better world, one GREEN home at a time. We are providing these links to helpful sites and online tools for your convenience. If you have questions about how a Home Performance assessment can help you please contact us.

• What’s my Footprint and how can I change it? www.footprintnetwork.org
• Help reduce the amount of materials sent your local landfill by shopping at a ReStore. www.pdxrestore.org
• Lighting Coop offers a variety of lights at affordable prices for your home, including table lamps, floor lamps, outdoor lighting and more. www.lightingcoop.com
• What is Home Performance? Home Performance Video - provided by Energy Trust
• Use the Home Energy Yardstick to measure your home’s performance from ENERGY STAR.
• Energy Trust's Online Home Energy Analyzer - a quick online tool to show possible savings for your home.
• We are now part of the ECOS program through NW Natural Gas which runs through the end of 2010. This program makes weatherization and energy efficiencies more affordable to NW Natural Gas customers.
• Energy Trust of Oregon's new "Savings Within Reach" program which brings affordable energy efficiencies and weatherization retrofits to non NW Natural Gas customers, PGE customers.
• Financial Assistance

Tax Credits Cash Back Incentive through Energy Trust of Oregon Financing Umpqua Bank - GreenStreet Loans Wells Fargo Home Mortgage- Green Home Financing Countrywide - Green Incentive program Bank of America- Energy Credit mortgage

*For qualified applicants

Tips - easy ways to use less energy

• Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Install water-saving showerheads and faucet aerators.
• Clean or replace filters monthly to help your furnace or air conditioner work at peak efficiency.
• Unplug battery chargers (e.g. power tools, mobile phones, laptops, etc.) when not in use.
• Caulk small holes and cracks around plumbing pipes, exhaust fans, dryer vents, sink and bathtub drains, fireplaces and under countertops.
• Use a countertop convection or microwave oven, or smaller electric appliance, instead of a full-size stove whenever
  possible.
• Turn down the thermostat to 65
  –68 degrees during the day and 58–60 degrees at night during cooler months.
• Install an ENERGY STAR^® programmable thermostat so it adjusts automatically.
• Wash and rinse laundry with cold water. To save more energy and water, run full loads.
• Use the water-saver washing and energy-saver drying options on your dishwasher.
• Check to make sure refrigerator/freezer gaskets seal tightly.
• Clean lint filters after drying each load of clothes.
• Use pots and pans with flat bottoms.
• If you plan to purchase a new clothes washer, dishwasher or refrigerator, choose ENERGY STAR models.
• Install exterior wall switch and outlet gaskets to prevent air loss and infiltration.
• Close fireplace and wood stove dampers when not in use, but wait several hours after the fire dies down.

Free Estimates

Contact Us to schedule your Home Performance with ENERGY STAR assessment.