In the News
February 1, 2012 - IBEW Local 48 member uses Heimlich to save life of colleague
Northwest Labor Press
“The IBEW Local 48 Safety Committee presented member Kim Gilliam with a special lifesaving recognition award at the Jan. 25 general membership union meeting.”
For the full story click here.
January 23, 2012 - Oregon no longer a leader in LEED
By: Lindsey O’Brien
Daily Journal of Commerce
“Oregon, for years touted as a national leader in green construction, recently slipped out of the list of top 10 states for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design projects.”
Read the full article here.
January 18, 2012 - Oregon Legislature will consider capping mercury in fluorescent bulbs
By: Scott Learn
Oregonian
“Oregon’s Legislature will consider a scaled-back proposal next month to address mercury in compact-fluorescent light bulbs, including a cap on the amount of the toxic metal in each bulb sold in the state. ”
Read the full story here.
January 13, 2012 - Gov. Kitzhaber’s energy plan seeks big ideas
By: Lee van der Voo
Sustainable Business Oregon
“Governor John Kitzhaber has corralled a group of top thinkers in energy and conservation to draft a 10-year plan for Oregon’s energy future.”
Read the full story here
January 12, 2012 - Vestas, job cuts, and the dark clouds ahead
By: Erik Siemers
Portland Business Journal
“Danish wind turbine-maker Vestas Wind Systems A/S on Thursday said it will cut 2,335 jobs as part of a global corporate restructuring.”
January 4, 2012 - Feds approve transmission line for wind project in East Oregon
By Lindsey O’Brien
Daily Journal of Commerce
“A $300 million wind project proposed in the high desert of Harney County is one step closer to construction thanks to recent federal approval for a 46-mile, 230-kilovolt transmission line.”
Read the full article here
December 28, 2011 - Oregon students leave their marks on progress
By Gabrielle Russon
ToledoBlade.com
“Later in March, the larger turbine, towering at 283 feet, is expected to be spinning at Clay High School. The 900-kilowatt wind turbine will generate about 80 percent of the electricity at Clay.”
Read the full story here.
December 28, 2011 - Washington council won’t revisit approval of wind farm visible from Columbia Gorge Scenic Area
Ted Sickinger
OregonLive.com
“Washington’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council this week left unchanged its October decision to scale back but approve a wind farm that would be visible from the towns of White Salmon and Hood River, in the heart of the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area.”
Read the full story here.
December 19, 2011 - First Wind secures $210 million for Eastern Washington wind farm
Michelle Lang
TechFlash
“Boston-based wind energy company First Wind Holdings Inc. has taken in a $210 million funding round to support its subsidiary, Palouse Wind LLC.”
Read the full story here.
December 16, 2011 - House votes to block enforcement of light bulb rules
Richard Simon
Los Angeles Times
“A spending bill needed to prevent a federal government shutdown would block enforcement of new energy-efficiency rules for light bulbs, letting old-style incandescent bulbs stay around a bit longer.”
Read the full story here.
December 14, 2011 - Ocean energy, wave of the future?
Jeremy C. Ruark
Seaside Signal
“ASTORIA – State and local officials are expected to emerge from a two-day meeting in Astoria Dec. 15 and Dec. 16 with recommendations on how Clatsop County can play a key role in regulation and development of wave energy projects.”
Link to the full story here.
December 7, 2011 - Regulators tell Bonneville Power Administration to stop pulling the plug on wind farms
OregonLive.com
Ted Sickinger
“Federal energy regulators told the Bonneville Power Administration Wednesday that it can no longer discriminate against wind farm owners by cutting off their transmission during periods of excess electricity generation in the region.”
Link to the full story here.
December 7, 2011 - M3 tests wave technology, seeks funding
Lee van der Voo
Sustainable Business Oregon
“Corvallis-based M3 Wave Energy Systems debuted its power-generating technology last week at the Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory at Oregon State University.”
Link to the full story here.
December 1, 2011 - Eastern Oregon Wind Farm Clears Hurdle
Lee van der Voo
Sustainable Business Oregon
“The Antelope Ridge Wind Farm cleared a critical hurdle in November, signing a mitigation agreement with Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife that paves the way for the $600 million, 300-megawatt project to move ahead in Oregon’s energy facility siting process.”
Link to full story here.
November 18, 2011 - Kitzhaber joins call for renewable energy tax credit extension
By Lee van der Voo
Sustainable Business Oregon
“Gov. John Kitzhaber has joined a coalition of governors in asking Congress to extend the Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit for at least four years.”
Read full story here
November 17, 2011 - Oregon Kaiser Permanente Facility to Go Solar
HC+O News
“As part of its effort to secure LEED Gold certification, Kaiser Permanente will install high performance solar panels at its Westside Medical Center branch, currently under construction.”
View full story here.
November 9, 2011 - Department of Commerce will investigate Chinese solar subsidies
By Ted Sickinger
Oregonian
“The U.S. Department of Commerce said Wednesday it will move forward with investigations of whether Chinese solar manufacturers are receiving outsize government subsidies and using them to flood the U.S. market with solar panels sold below cost.”
October 30, 2011 - Why Oregon Can Lead the Green Business Revolution
By Woodrow Clark II, guest columnist
Oregonian
“On Wednesday, I will be in Portland speaking about the global race towards the green economic revolution at Oregon Environmental Council’s Business and Environment Forum.”
October 24, 2011 - ECOtality launches EV fast-charge network in Oregon
Erik Siemers
Portland Business Journal
“San Francisco-based ECOtality (NASDAQ: ECTY) is overseeing the U.S. Department of Energy-based EV Project, which is working to install 14,000 electric vehicle charging stations across 16 states and major metropolitan areas over the next three years.”
Portland Business Journal – link to the full story
October 19, 2011 - University of Oregon joins green initiative to upgrade campus buildings
Julie Brown, University of Oregon
Oregonian
“The University of Oregon is going green(er) by joining the Billion Dollar Green Challenge—an initiative to finance energy efficiency upgrades on campuses across the country.”
Oregonian, link to full story http://tinyurl.com/5upgbyn
October 12, 2011 - Solar projects growing at schools, college campuses
Lindsey O’Brien
Daily Journal of Commerce
“Solar projects are booming in the education sector.”
October 3, 2011 - Despite iffy solar market, one company expands in Portland
Lindsey O’Brien
Daily Journal of Commerce
“The outlook for the commercial-scale solar industry may not appear too bright in Oregon these days, but one company has made an unusual choice to expand its Portland operations in order to increase its focus on that market.”
Daily Journal of Commerce
September 24, 2011 - SoloPower, preparing to manufacture in Portland, says its flexible solar panels surpass Solyndra and competitors
Richard Read
Oregonian
“Forget boxy solar panels that clutter rooftops. SoloPower Inc., supported by your tax dollars, will make sheets of solar cells to roll out across big-box roofs, greening the Walmarts of the world.”
http://tinyurl.com/3zakdng
September 21, 2011 - Examining the cost to Portlanders of the Oregon Sustainability Center
Beth Slovic
Oregonian
“The Portland City Council voted 3-2 Wednesday to push ahead with the Oregon Sustainability Center, a proposed $62 million showcase for environmental design, construction and technology.”
September 19, 2011 - New BPA transmission line to aid wind energy expansion
By Erik Siemers
Business Journal
“The federal Bonneville Power Administration on Friday said it will begin work this week on a new $185 million high-voltage power line it says will increase its ability to handle wind energy expansion.”
August 30, 2011 - Behold, the $15 LED bulb
Mother Nature Network
“Meet the latest creation from the geniuses over at Lighting Science Group: an omnidirectional, 60-watt equivalent A19 LED bulb with a sticker price of $15 or less. That’s right, folks — a $15 LED.”
August 29, 2011 - Report: Oregon will have 33,000 EV chargers by 2017
By Christina Williams
Sustainable Business Oregon
“A new report out from Pike Research confirms Oregon’s spot as an early leader — though not by itself — in electric vehicle infrastructure.”
August 28, 2011 - Energy-efficient homes seem to sell faster, fetch higher prices
Los Angeles Times
By Kenneth R. Harney
“Some research projects in California, Oregon and Washington offer hints that energy efficiency and sustainability certifications for homes may result in easier sales and higher prices.”
August 26, 2011 - Portland Plans for Transit All Powered by Electricity
The New York Times
By Ken Belson
“Rather than just promote electric vehicles and the installation of charging spots, a coalition of government officials, carmakers, academics and local utilities is trying to integrate all forms of electric transportation into the city.”
August 23, 2011 - PGE and ODOT break ground on solar highway project
The Oregonian
By Ted Sickinger
“Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez joined Portland General Electric and the Oregon Department Transportation Tuesday to break ground on a $10 million solar array at the Baldock Rest Area on Interstate 5 south of Wilsonville.”
August 18, 2011 - Education for EV sustainability
By Tim Gauthier
NECA, Oregon-Columbia Chapter
Sustainable Business Oregon
“The idea of driving an electric vehicle — and not having to fill up a gas tank each week — is enticing. With the current price of oil, the incentives offered by the government to both taxpayers and automobile manufacturers, and the demands on the conscious consumer to live sustainably, the EV boom is on the brink of happening.”
August 16, 2011 - OUS to break ground on Oregon’s largest solar project
By Christina Williams
Sustainable Business Oregon
“The Oregon University System is launching a large-scale solar project, slated to be the state’s largest, on Thursday with a groundbreaking at the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls.”
August 10, 2011 - SunPower, Ford offer solar panel and charging station combo
Oregon JDC
BY: Lindsey O’Brien
“Ford and SunPower Corporation announced today they are teaming up to offer solar panel systems to customers who buy the Focus Electric, which launches in December, or the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid, which will be rolled out in 2012.”
August 5, 2011 - US Wind Industry Continues Rebound in Q2, But Tax Credit Extension is Pivotal
SustainableBusiness.com
“US wind energy continued to rebound in the second quarter, but the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) cautions that without stable policies such as an extension of the Production Tax Credit (set to expire in 2012), the industry’s recovery will stall.”
August 4, 2011 - Drive Oregon envisions state as EV testing hub
By Lee van der Voo
Sustainable Business Oregon
“Oregon’s electric vehicle incubator, Drive Oregon, is pressing forward to position the state as a one-of-a-kind testing ground for electric vehicles and as a place where local manufacturers, designers and component developers convene to form their own, unique marketplace.”
July 27, 2011 - OSU’s purchase of green power puts it at the top of nation’s universities
By Theresa Hogue
Oregon State University
“Oregon State University has become the second-largest purchaser of green power of any university in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Top 20 College & University list of green power purchasers.”
July 19, 2011 - Northwest grid adds electricity market flexibility
By Christina Williams
Sustainable Business Oregon
“The Northwest energy market got a little more nimble Tuesday with the announcement that three regional power transmission groups and 15 utilities will start scheduling power transmission on a half-hour basis.”
July 14, 2011 - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar approves Central Oregon’s first wind energy farm
The Oregonian
By Scott Learn
“Interior Secretary Ken Salazar gave the go ahead today to what could be Central Oregon’s first wind energy project.”
July 1, 2011 - The future of wind development
Eastern Oregonian
By Samantha Tipler
“In the minutes after Umatilla County commissioners made their decision to approve tougher requirements for wind turbines, some people celebrated.
Others proclaimed it would be the end of the wind power business in Umatilla County.”
June 30, 2011 - Scientists use inkjet printing to produce solar cells
BBC News
“Solar energy may soon become easier to capture, say researchers who have developed a novel method to produce solar cells using inkjet printing.”
June 23, 2011 - ‘Cool Schools’ viewed as symbolic win, questions remain
Sustainable Business Oregon
By Christina Williams
“Gov. John Kitzhaber signed what’s become known as the “Cool Schools” bill into law Thursday, prompting back slaps among energy efficiency and green job-creation advocates across the state.”
June 23, 2011 - Oregon House advances tax credits overhaul
Bloomberg Businessweek
By JONATHAN J. COOPER
“The Oregon House voted Wednesday to significantly scale back a tax credit that has been used to expand renewable energy in the state.”
June 17, 2011 - Vestas takes leading role in new wind label
By Christina Williams
Sustainable Business Oregon
“This week a coalition of companies rolled out the specifics of a new label — WindMade — that lets consumers know that a product was made by a company that uses wind power.”
June 9, 2011 - Oregon green energy tax breaks face sweeping changes, cutbacks
Harry Esteve
The Oregonian
“Oregon’s practice of channeling ever higher sums of taxpayer dollars into big wind farms and other green energy projects appears to be coming to an end in favor of thriftier and more targeted conservation incentives.”
June 7, 2011 - ECOtality plugs in first public charging station in Wilsonville
By Christina Williams
Sustainable Business Oregon
“After months of promises and the recent loss of its top Oregon executive, ECOtality unveiled its first publicly available charging station Tuesday at Wilsonville City Hall.”
May 30, 2011 - Money Blows in to a Patch of Oregon Known for Its Unrelenting Winds
By LEE VAN DER VOO
The New York Times
“It pays to live in Sherman County: $590 a year. In this sparsely populated landscape south of the Columbia River Gorge, annual checks for that amount are local residents’ share of a windfall brought by the growing wind energy industry. In an area otherwise dominated by wheat farms, hundreds of 300-foot wind turbines now generate electricity and cash.”
May 26, 2011 - Sen. Jeff Merkley’s effort on electric vehicles gets a jolt of energy
Charles Pope
The Oregonian
“Merkley wants federal help in financing six community centers that would service electric vehicles and build public support for the cars.”
May 19, 2011 - Oregon’s electric car charging network is behind schedule
Ted Sickinger
The Oregonian
“The $230 million, stimulus-funded study is geared to put thousands of electric cars on the road across 18 cities, along with a network of more than 8,000 public charging stations, then watch how they get used.”
May 16, 2011 - C. Ore. utility helps fund wave power project
The Bulliten
Kate Ramsayer
“The constant, reliable motion of waves rolling toward the Oregon Coast is one of the latest renewable energy possibilities attracting interest, even from a local electric cooperative more than 150 miles from the ocean.”
May 13, 2011 - SoloPower to announce plans for $340 million North Portland solar panel plant
Molly Young
The Oregonian
“In a surprise move, SoloPower officials will announce plans Friday to bring a $340 million solar plant to North Portland, abandoning an $11 million incentive package tied to Wilsonville.”
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