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Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad March 23, 2006 Sustainability Every Oregon home can support clean electricity Melissa Schweisguth Growing awareness that fossil fuels are environmentally damaging and declining in supply is spurring renewable energy installations on homes and businesses. These options aren’t feasible for everyone — such as renters or those with limited finances. However, Paige Prewett, outreach coordinator for the Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Renewable Northwest Project, notes that all Oregonians can either purchase renewable energy through utilities or buy renewable energy certificates from independent organizations. About 64,000 state residents already do so. Lean is green The easiest and most cost-effective clean energy source is often overlooked: conservation. Doing simple things like turning off lights, appliances and computers when not in use; converting lights to compact fluorescents; installing programmable thermostats and putting timers on water heaters will lower bills and pollution, and leave more money to invest in renewables. Ashland’s Conservation Division provides free energy audits for homes and businesses. The Ashland Chamber of Commerce produces a free “Earth Smart, Money Wise” guide, packed with information on no- and low-cost conservation measures, and financial incentives for larger projects. Outside of Ashland, the Energy Trust of Oregon offers materials, services and incentives to encourage energy conservation and installation of renewables at homes and businesses. Renewable options Wind is the least expensive and fastest growing green power source according to RNP, and the source of most renewable energy in the Northwest. Turbines in high wind areas dance in circles to transform wind into electricity. According to Prewett, Oregon-wind power projects are currently producing enough electricity to power 6 percent of the state’s homes. On The Web Bonneville Environmental Foundation www.GreenAshland.org Ashland Conservation Programs www.ashland.or.us/conservation Energy Trust of Oregon www.energytrust.org Pacific Power Blue Sky www.pacificpower.net/Bluesky Renewable Northwest Project www.RNP.org Solar is probably the best known, and the most common locally. These systems use roof or ground mounted panels to heat water (solar thermal) or power general building electricity (photovoltaic). Biomass captures energy generated from burning organic material such as wood and plant matter, or methane gas from landfills. Prewett noted that 1,500 cattle will champ at the bit at a new biomass facility opening near Salem in June. Locally, the Dry Creek landfill is exploring the feasibility of generating biomass. Geothermal facilities capture energy from hot water or steam lie below the surface of the earth. Though limited to very specific areas, geothermal is powerful and productive. Certified “low impact” hydro is also considered clean and renewable, but only if it is specifically certified as such. According to RNP, most hydropower is environmentally damaging “high impact”, which radically alters water pathways, blocks fish migration routes, drowns fertile agricultural land and heats waterways to temperatures that kill aquatic life. Conventional power mix Despite the wealth of renewable options, use remains small. RNP notes that Northwest electricity users consume a mix of electricity sources: about 54 percent hydropower (not certified “low impact”), 32 percent coal, 8 percent natural gas, 3 percent nuclear, 1.5 percent renewables and 1.5 percent other sources like diesel and propane. According to Prewett, the power mix across all US states is 51 percent coal, 21 percent nuclear, 6 percent hydro and only 1 percent renewables. Ashland’s energy mix includes 5 percent renewable energy generated by wind and small-scale hydropower. The Energy Trust of Oregon is shooting to bring renewable energy up to at least 10 percent of all sources by 2012, according to Prewett. Considering what is at stake with global warming, many environmentalists feel that significantly larger growth is needed. Going for the green Oregonians can do their part to give renewable energy a green light for as little as $2 per month. Ashland residents can purchase Green Tags through BEF’s Renewable Pioneers program. Each Green Tag represents 1,000 kilowatt-hours and costs $20 or $24 depending on the proportion of wind and solar. Green Tag sales support existing clean energy generation by adding renewable energy to the Northwest system. Ashland receives $1 from every Green Tag locally, which is used to fund local solar projects. “Green Tags provide an easy and affordable way for homes and businesses to make a choice for clean, regional, infinite energy sources,” says Prewett. Those who want to go the extra mile towards a sustainable lifestyle can also purchase Green Tags to offset car and plane travel and other energy use. This option is available to all residents of the northwest — not just Ashlanders — and BEF’s website has a “carbon calculator” to help individuals determine how many tags would cover their needs. Pacific Power customers can purchase renewable energy through the utility’s Blue Sky program. Those choosing the Blue Sky Usage option pay less than once penny per kWh to cover all of their usage with renewables — 61 percent wind, 38 percent biomass and 1 percent solar. The Blue Sky Block option, 100 percent wind power, allows customers to purchase renewable energy in 100 kWh blocks at $1.95 each. No matter what the level, every new customer that supports these programs makes a positive difference by building demand that encourages the creation of new clean, sources that replace polluting, non-renewables. Questions and comments may be directed to [email protected]. --> Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.