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While energy efficiency is the building's most urgent need,
EORenew Board member Ken Primrose is also a member of Friends of the
Museum, and he had a yen to see a solar array on the south-facing
pitch of the museum's roof, a spot visible from US Highway 395. Ken
filed a separate application for a small grid-intertied solar array.
In mid-July, ODOE called for applications to be finished and
submitted by August 10th. With SolWest happening at the end of the
month, this presented a real challenge. We got them done and sent in,
thanks to White Star Plaster of Bend, Baker Valley Sheet Metal and
Heating of Baker City, and North River Electric of Dayville, who were
on the spot to lend their technical expertise. The application for
energy conservation measures, in particular, included a detailed
energy audit spreadsheet showing that, if measures were taken, the
building could be properly heated and cooled for less energy than it
currently uses to be miserably hot in summer and cold in winter.
The energy efficiency project has been divided into three
phases: windows and weatherization; heat pump; and EIFS. The next
step is for the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to look
over the form we are required to file for any building over 50 years
old. As soon as SHPO clears us, Phase I of the project will go out
for bid. EORenew will be involved in project management through the
winter, and into next spring. Look for the building to be offered as
a tour at SolWest, and on the John Day Solar Tour itinerary next fall!
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REPORTING
TO OUR MEMBERS:
What
is EORenew, and
what
have we been doing in 2009?
EORenew is a small, grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in rural eastern
Oregon. That's the quick one-sentence description. It takes a lot
longer to explain how we accomplish that mission, and why we are
doing it out here in the back-of-beyond.
We are doing this work here because this is where we live.
Teachers and students in our schools are eager to understand and
learn how to use the natural energy resources that surround us. Rural
communities, with fewer financial resources than urban ones, call on
our skills to help them conserve energy in government buildings.
Citizen committees working on public projects, individuals with home
energy saving ideas, students doing research; all call on the EORenew
office for resources and support.
We reach out to our communities by creating educational
curricula, and taking our presentations into the schools at teacher
request. This year, we co-authored (with Dr. Anthony Tovar of Eastern
Oregon University) "The Energy in Society Spreadsheet Game."
Students get to rate their priorities for energy (Do you want it
cheap? out of sight? low-impact?) and then see what kind of energy
sources they end up with, and how various factions would perceive
their results. Our Oregon Teachers Energy Resource is available to
K-12 teachers in our area and at SolWest.
We assist our communities with technical expertise on energy
audits and solar design. EORenew's Jennifer Barker assisted with
stimulus fund applications for weatherizing and installing solar on
buildings in Canyon City (see article, right). The next project is
assisting a citizen commission to design a passive solar fire station
for the City of John Day. |
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Here
are a few details about what we've been doing:
K-12 education:
Participation in Regional Happenings:
Extra-curricular Activities and Adult Education:
SolWest Fair and pre-SolWest Workshops:
Technical Assistance:
Publications:
Articles in Regional and National Publications:
Board Development:
Volunteers
Help Us Out!
Like every organization, EORenew depends on volunteers to keep
things running smoothly at the office and at our events. You are an
essential part of our organization and the services we provide!
Volunteers donate hundreds of hours each year teaching classes,
staffing positions at SolWest, working in our office with organizing
projects, and running our organization by being on the Board of
Directors. Supporters also help us to make ends meet by donating
items on our wish list.
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The economy has increased demand for our services exponentially. With
your help, the shoestring keeps holding on&ldots; your contributions
go directly into our work. Thank you! |
--Our vision for renewable energy-based communities cannot be
accomplished without the help of people like you! Thanks to you,
EORenew keeps spreading the energetic word!
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Our funders and donors play a major role
in continuing our work of promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Who
are EORenew members?
RE manufacturers, distributors, and retail businesses
People in building trades (architects, electricians, contractors etc.)
Electric utilities
Local stores and service businesses
Professional individuals (all sorts, incl. public servants, financial
services, health care, consultants, bookkeepers, etc.)
Ranchers and farmers
Self-employed people (artisans, professional services, etc.)
Teachers and students
Retired people
Native American tribal organizations
-- and anyone interested in learning about and promoting energy self-reliance!
Thanks to the following new and renewing business
members. Your support makes our programs possible:
Certified Software Corporation, John Day OR
Constant Caretaking, Canyon City OR
Idaho Power Company, Payette ID
Malheur Field Station, Princeton OR
Solar Assist, Eugene OR
Sunlight Solar Energy, Bend OR
Wholesale Solar, Inc, Mount Shasta CA
More thank-yous to...
Like
most nonprofit organizations, EORenew owes
much of its funding to your generous donations. Contributions above
value received ($15 for our newsletter) are eligible for deduction
from your taxable income as charitable donation.
Every dollar you donate frees up valuable funding for our renewable
energy education, information, and energy service programs! We accept
donations designated for specific programs. You may also make a
donation through your local United Way. Please consider EORenew when
making your charitable donation decisions for 2008.
Why
I support EORenew:
"I support EORenew because "renewable" is the only
viable future for human use of energy; we really have no other good
choices but to learn as much as we can about existing renewable
technologies." -- Kay Firor, chair, EORenew Board of Directors
"As the energy costs for the consumer increase, it is
imperative that the consumer is informed of the possible alternatives
to formulate a prudent decision about their energy alternatives."
-- Ken Primrose, EORenew Board of Directors
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