News

"Roof Colors Become Hot, Or Cool, Topic"

In the last few years, energy producers and conservation groups have eyed big, flat roofs as fertile ground to produce energy, or improve the local environment. Sailor has a three-year federal grant to look questions like what makes the most efficient mix of roof colors. Portland city officials aren’t waiting for that. They’re developing a tax credit that might be worth up to $2,500 for combined green-and-black roofs.

"La Salle Catholic College Preparatory taps into solar energy"

Facilities manager Bill George was the main force behind La Salle Catholic College Preparatory’s solar panels, the latest project of its kind to hit Portland area schools. The black, thin-film panels could save the school about $10,000 to $15,000 in energy costs when the school purchases the system.

"Affordable and Green"

"My kids are grown, and I never thought I'd buy another home, but I'm doing it to get a solar, eco-friendly home," Barasa says. It's an affordable housing project of the Rogue Valley Community Development Corporation, helping low-income renters get into low-interest mortgages backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development — something owners can do by performing 70 percent of the home-building work, about 1,500 hours.

Green from the Ground Up

Above Southern Oregon University's campus in Ashland lies an eclectic neighborhood that clings to the side of a foothill, serving up awesome views of the southern Cascade Mountains. Fred Gant had been eyeing a parcel in the area for some time. A former builder specializing in solar design, Fred thought the cottage on the lot would be a good rental investment. He purchased the lot in 1999, outfitted the cottage with solar and found his first tenants, all the while searching for the perfect place to build his own home.

Solar energy to save agencies $$$ thousands

Thanks to funding from two sources, four Wallowa County entities will have solar power soon.

Laundry’s energy-guzzling ways will soon be a thing of the past

Cutting-edge Laundromat’s new machines and solar panels put it a step ahead of the competition

Hood River engineers unveil their “human utility vehicle”

One of the most interesting features of the Hauler is the solar panel that doubles as a roof over the cargo bin. Blake says the solar panel is the same size used by NGO’s to power businesses, schools, and hospitals in developing countries. It was designed to easily detach from the vehicle to be put to use in building “ad-hoc, off-grid power solutions.”

ORCCA pilots low income solar water heater program

COOS BAY, Ore. - A local non-profit is testing out a new program, that it hopes will help two low income households cut down on energy costs, by supplying them with solar water heaters.

New law impacts state solar projects

A bill passed during the Oregon Legislature’s recent special session requires prevailing wage to be paid for private solar projects on public property. Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed House Bill 3651 into law last week.

Salem Green Awards fundraiser honors local sustainability work

Salem held its first Green Awards on Saturday honoring 10 businesses and residents for their efforts in sustainability. The fundraiser highlighted efforts in four categories: Recycler of the Year, Business of the Year, Green Building of the Year and EarthWise Business of the Year. Friends of Straub Environmental Learning Center, Marion County Environmental Services and Garten Services selected the 10 winners from a list of 27 nominees

Five renewable energy projects in the running for up to $100K

Five local renewable energy and education proposals have reached the finalist stage for consideration of two Eugene Water & Electric Board Greenpower grants of up to $100,000 each.