Synergy Newsletter, April 2012

Two small Oregon-based businesses that work with Energy Trust of Oregon to deliver energy-efficiency services to utility customers have been recognized in the Oregon Business’ annual “Best Companies to Work For in Oregon” ranking.

Evergreen Consulting Group, Tigard, with 21 Oregon employees, is the contract manager for Energy Trust’s commercial and industrial lighting offering and lighting trade ally contractors, and was ranked fifth out of the top 33 small companies in the state. RHT Energy Solutions, Inc., Medford, with 15 employees, ranked 18th, and is a Program Delivery Contractor for Energy Trust’s Production Efficiency program.

“Our work with Energy Trust has been an enormous benefit to our business, but it goes beyond that. Working together, we have been successful in cultivating a thriving marketplace for energy efficiency. This has helped build a market for hundreds of trade ally contractors across the state,” said Roger Spring, president, Evergreen Consulting Group.

Photo caption: Dave Morris, RHT Energy Solutions, evaluating a project for energy savings.

View the Oregon Business 100 Best list, which includes Energy Trust participating customers and members of our Trade Ally Network »

Throughout 2011, Energy Trust worked closely with our affiliated utilities—Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas—to serve customers.  We developed a range of strategies to meet customer needs—from no- and low-cost behavior change and energy management programs for all types of customers, to support for equipment upgrades and deep retrofits for homes and commercial buildings, to process efficiency and equipment solutions for industry and agriculture.

This combination of diverse opportunities and responsive strategies resulted in savings that surpassed expectations and exceeded our energy-efficiency goals, saving 46.9 average megawatts of electricity and 5.4 million annual therms of natural gas. In addition, we achieved 1.48 average megawatts of new renewable energy generation, and installed a record-breaking number of solar electric systems.

Read Margie Harris’ summary of Energy Trust’s strategies and results in 2011 >>

View the 2011 Annual Report to the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PDF) >>

Energy-efficiency and renewable energy improvements align well with the purpose of public organizations—to serve in the public interest. Last year, public agencies demonstrated good stewardship of taxpayer dollars when they completed more than 300 projects to improve efficiency or generate clean, renewable energy. Energy Trust provided technical assistance, help in finding a contractor and more than $3 million in incentives to these agencies.

“Reducing energy costs frees funds for other important public priorities,” said Peter West, director of energy programs, Energy Trust. “We continue to work closely with public sector customers, including cities, counties, schools and water districts, to maximize their energy savings.”

Photo caption: Mt. Hood Community College installed high-efficiency lighting to lower operating costs.

View Energy Trust energy solutions and services available to meet the needs of public agencies »

Clatsop County citizens work closely with Energy Trust, Pacific Power and NW Natural to save energy in their homes and businesses—saving money and generating much needed economic activity. Here are some highlights of Clatsop County customer activity with Energy Trust since 2008:

• Residents received 4,770 Energy Saver Kits with products for instant energy and bill savings.
• Families received $400,000 in cash incentives when they improved their homes with insulation, air sealing and other upgrades.
• Nearly 120 commercial and industrial businesses received $850,000 in incentives to install energy-saving upgrades. 
• Five homes and two businesses installed solar electric systems.

The dollars saved on customers' energy bills are now available for other needs, creating more economic benefit for the county. Clatsop County businesses benefit, too—15 businesses in the county are Energy Trust as trade ally contractors, helping customers complete upgrades and access cash incentives.

“We're proud to work with Energy Trust to help Pacific Power customers in Clatsop County save energy and money,” said Pat Egan, vice president of customer and community affairs, Pacific Power. "you really pay yourself twice, first with the incentives and then with a lower energy bill."

 “NW Natural customers are demonstrating that small actions can add up to big savings,” said Bill Edmonds, director of environmental policy and sustainability, NW Natural.

Read how Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District took steps to operate a more sustainable Sunset Pool »