Green Professionals Conference 2011
Posted on January 31, 2011 by Andrea Crosby
Tags, Public Involvement and Coalitions
In honor of 2011, CUB has set a New Year’s resolution to better inform our members, followers and the general community through our blog. From here on out, you can expect to hear more regular updates about our advocacy efforts and opinions on issues that affect Oregon consumers and utility customers. Unlike most New Year’s resolutions, we are not going to let this one fall to the wayside.
To exhibit our good intentions, here’s our first blog of 2011.
In an effort to stay up-to-date on Energy Efficiency, Renewables and Sustainability issues in our region, CUB staff attended the 2011 Green Professionals Conference. The conference brings together individuals, businesses and organizations that are dedicated to a sustainable, clean energy economy with the goal of fostering new ideas and partnerships. Over 70 regional and local presenters participated in 15 sessions concerning a wide range of topics from the Smart Grid and Wind Energy Programs to Alternative and Emerging Energy Solutions.
Gordon Feighner, our utility analyst, attended a Smart Grid panel that focused on the interplay of the current energy grid and new technologies. The speakers did a nice job discussing the future of the energy grid, addressing the initiatives of Smart Grid Oregon and answering audience’s questions. The lack of a consumer advocate on the panel really demonstrates our need to stay involved in the Smart Grid discussion and represent the consumer interest as the topic develops.
The session “2011 Oregon Legislative Strategies for Energy Efficiency” depicted an interesting picture of the upcoming legislative session and the various proposals and initiatives that we can expect to see. John Strum, who has been aiding Jeff in preparation for the legislative session, attended this session and felt like the speakers mentioned things that CUB is aware of and prepared to work on as the 2011 legislative session evolves. We can expect legislative updates from John as the session progresses.
CUB Staff were also present for the Clean Energy Works panel, a very full session reviewing the Clean Energy Works pilot program in Portland and its gradual transition to a state-wide program. The program is designed to help homeowners have more streamlined access to financing and contractors for energy efficiency remodeling. Started in 2009, it helped to remodel over 450 homes in partnership with the Energy Trust of Oregon. In 2011 the program will begin to offer state-wide services for homeowners throughout Oregon and from the panel session those involved are very eager to expand the energy efficiency possibilities in the state.
The conference closed with an intriguing session on Alternative and Emerging Energy Solutions. The speakers were incredibly well versed in new areas of energy generation, including wave, geothermal and biomass energy production. The Q&A ended with an interesting discussion by the panel about the future of Boardman, the PGE Coal Plant that is scheduled to close in 2020. The conversation focused on the need to carefully develop innovative solutions for Boardman in order to create a successful template that can be adopted at other coal plants across the country as they close. The panelists emphasized our shared belief that Oregon can and will be the model for successful clean energy solutions and policies.
CUB staff looks forward to attending the conference again next year! Kudos to Fluid Market Strategies, the conference hosts, for all their hard work.
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03/22/17 | 0 Comments | Green Professionals Conference 2011