More than 100 people participated in an Energy Forum at the Community Health Education Center on Saturday, Jan. 23, according to a news release.
The event was organized by the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters and Klamath Sustainable Communities.
There were 16 sponsors, including Pacific Power, Oregon Renewable Energy Center and Klamath County Economic Development Association.
Local experts addressed the forum in both keynote and breakout sessions.
Elizabeth McNannay, representing Energy Trust of Oregon, and Betty Riley, representing South Central Oregon Economic Development District, made the keynote presentations.
Difference explained
McNannay explained the difference between energy efficiency and energy conservation and the importance of energy audits. She announced that Energy Trust is looking for a full-time person to perform home energy reviews and construction quality control. Interviews for the position began Monday, Jan. 25.
Riley said her organization focuses on economic development in Klamath and Lake counties. She said she sees renewable energy and energy efficiency as major drivers of the economy. She also said that, among other things, she is developing a partnership among several areas of Oregon to develop a revolving loan fund that would allow improvements for energy efficiency to be paid through the consumer’s electric bill at a low interest rate over a 20-year term. Through special arrangements with power suppliers, this would involve no cost improvements for consumers and businesses.
Variety of actions
Gloria Keller, energy education coordinator with Klamath Basin Senior Center, reviewed a wide variety of actions that people can take in their homes to reduce energy consumption and save money. She also described a refrigerator exchange program that allows low-income residents, including renters, to trade out an old refrigerator for a new, energy-efficient model at no cost.
Ben Scott, Oregon Energy Trust, discussed its energy audit opportunities including: An online home energy analyzer; a one-hour home energy review, free to Pacific Power customers who use electricity in their heating systems; a three-hour hom
e performance review that involves a variety of diagnostic equipment; and a free solar energy review that uses energy modeling software.
He noted that current incentives make solar energy a viable option in many circumstances.
Justin Kraan of Diamond Home Improvement, described a wide variety of incentives, including federal tax credits for insulation, windows and roofing; Energy Trust grants for insulation and windows; and Avista funding for insulation and windows in gas-heated homes. Diamond Home Improvement will work with consumers and contractors to take advantage of all possible incentives, he added.
Breakout sessions
After the main presentations, the group split into three breakout sessions designed to address:
n Renovations and upgrades for owners and landlords with Bill Trento of Parr Lumber, Eric Andrews of Ecosolar, architect Andy Cooke, Elizabeth McNannay and Betty Riley.
n New construction and incentives for owners and landlords with Nabil Taha of Precision Structural Engineering, Tim Thompson of Resource Consultants, Jerry Brown (building a straw-bale house), Bill Trento, Eric Andrews, Elizabeth McNannay and Betty Riley.
n Energy savings for renters with Gloria Kellar, Jim Minix and Michael House both weatherization educators with Oregon Human Development Corporation.
Summary presented
The forum ended with a summary presented by Tom Chester, director of the Oregon Renewable Energy Center. He emphasized the massive investment necessary to make major reductions in the use of fossil fuels through solar, wind power and other alternative energy sources. He went on to highlight the major conservation savings that can be made by consumers at relatively little cost.
For more information about the Energy Forum and upcoming events, contact Leslie Lowe at inharmony46@charter.net, and follow the Green Welcome Wagon Web site at www.GreenWelcomeWagon.com.
Forum sponsors:
Sponsors of the Energy Forum include: American Association of University Women, AmeriTitle, Andy Cooke, Diamond Home Improvement, Eco Solar, Energy Trust of Oregon, Home Depot, Klamath County Chamber of Commerce, Klamath County Economic Development Association, Klamath Lake Community Action Services, Klamath Sustainable Communities, League of Women Voters of Klamath County, Oregon Renewable Energy Center, Pacific Power, Sky Lakes Medical Center and Washburn Way Building Products.
