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Resources for Oregon Schools
Are you looking for cost-effective ways to reduce energy costs at your school? Do you need tools to engage students and families in learning about energy efficiency and renewable power? Energy Trust of Oregon has classroom resources for teachers and students, as well as solutions to help administrators begin increasing the energy efficiency of school buildings. In addition to energy cost savings, energy efficiency can help you reduce operating costs and extend your equipment life while creating healthier, more comfortable learning and work environments.
Funding for efficiency and renewable energy
Energy Trust has been helping Oregon public and private schools invest in energy efficiency and renewable power since 2004. Along with the Oregon Department of Energy, we can provide technical assistance, comprehensive energy assessments and cash incentives to help offset the cost of qualified energy-efficiency and renewable energy projects at schools.
Oregon public school districts can tap into low-cost financing through the Cool Schools initiative and other incentives available through the Oregon Department of Energy, Energy Trust and Oregon's consumer-owned electric utilities and Idaho Power. More information is available on the Cool Schools website.
Private schools in Oregon served by Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas may be eligible for Energy Trust cash incentives, as well as Washington State private and public schools served by NW Natural.
From 2002-2011, Energy Trust has invested approximately $4.1 million in more than 1,000 energy-efficiency projects at both public and private K-12 schools in Oregon. We have also provided more than $1.5 million in funding for over 30 solar electric and wind energy systems.
In 2011 alone, these projects helped over 150 K-12 schools and school facilities save almost $400,000 on energy bills. Not only do these investments free up dollars for the classroom, they save and generate enough electricity to power nearly 300 homes and heat another 300 homes with natural gas.
Teaching tools and other resources
Energy Trust provides the following resources* to engage students and families in learning about energy efficiency and sustainable energy choices:
*Please note: The LivingWise curriculum and Change a Light, Change the World fundraiser are available to Oregon schools served by PGE and Pacific Power.