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Klamath Falls Energy Forum

January 23, 2010:  More than 100 people participated in an Energy Forum at Community Health Education Center in Klamath Falls, Oregon, today. The event was organized by the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters and Klamath Sustainable Communities. There were 16 sponsors including PacificPower, Oregon Renewable Energy Center and Klamath County Economic Development Association. Local experts addressed the forum in both keynote and breakout sessions.

Volunteers register particiants at the energy forum.
Volunteers register particiants at the
Klamath Energy Forum Saturday morning.

Elizabeth McNannay, representing Energy Trust of Oregon, and Betty Riley, representing South Central Oregon Economic Development District, made the keynote presentations. McNannay explained the difference between energy efficiency and energy conservation and the importance of energy audits. Her work is funded from the 3% public service portion of the local electric bill. She announced that Energy Trust is looking for a full-time person to perform home energy reviews and construction quality control. Interviews for the position begin January 25. Riley explained that her organization focusses on economic development in Klamath and Lake Counties. She sees renewable energy and energy efficiency as major drivers of the economy. Among other things, she is developing a partnership among several areas of Oregon to develop a revolving loan fund that would allow improvements for energy efficiency to be paid through the consumer's electric bill at a low interest rate over a 20-year term. Through special arrangements with power suppliers, this would involve no cost improvements for consumers and businesses.

Gloria Keller, energy education coordinator with Klamath Basin Senior Center, reviewed a wide variety of actions that people can take in their homes to reduce energy consumption and save money. She also described a refrigerator exchange program that allows low income residents, including renters, to trade out an old refrigerator for a new, energy-efficient model at no cost.

Ben Scott, Oregon Energy Trust, discussed their energy audit opportunities including:

He noted that current incentives make solar energy a viable option in many circumstances. Justin Kraan, Diamond Home Improvement, described the wide variety of incentives including federal tax credits for insulation, windows and roofing; Energy Trust grants for insulation and windows; and Avista funding for insulation and windows in gas-heated homes. Diamond Home Improvement will work with consumers and contractors to take advantage of all possible incentives.

After the main presentations, the group split to three breakout sessions designed to address:

The forum ended with a summary presented by Tom Chester, Director of the Oregon Renewable Energy Center. He stressed the massive investment necessary to make major reductions in the use of fossil fuels through solar, wind power and other alternative energy sources. He went on to highlight the major conservation savings that can be made by consumers at relatively little cost.

For more information about the Energy Forum and upcoming events, contact Leslie Lowe at and follow the Green Welcome Wagon Website at www.GreenWelcomeWagon.com.

Sponsors of the Energy Forum were: