Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber announced his efforts to develop a 10-year energy plan focused on the transport, generation and cost effectiveness of renewable energy.
“We must become more than just cheerleaders for the clean energy economy,” Kitzhaber said during last week’s Future Energy Conference. “The plan would take into account community conflicts over transmission lines, addressing family concerns over the higher cost of renewable energy and a variety of other concerns regarding renewable energy.”
When it comes to energy efficiency, the University has spent a lot of time in designing the Lewis Integrative Science Building — currently under construction — to reduce energy consumption.
The $65 million building along Franklin Boulevard will be home to the brain, molecular technology, nanotechnology and solar research programs.
Lewis will also incorporate a sustainable design through features like solar hot water, a glass exterior, bamboo and low-volatile-organic-compound carpets and paint.
Construction company Lease Crutcher Lewis expects the building will receive a U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum ranking, the highest possible ranking.
The Future Energy Conference brings industry professionals together to discuss renewable energy and efficiency, with representatives from solar, wind, wave and other green companies and organizations in attendance.
Kitzhaber met with Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and talked about forming a three-state coalition with California aimed at boosting green energy and reducing carbon emissions.
As a group, the West Coast states could help reverse the recurring concern that environmental protection has become a deterrent to job growth.
“These three states have a unique opportunity to change the national narrative and demonstrate the value of clean economic policies,” Kitzhaber said.
While clean energy is the ultimate goal, energy efficiency is something that everyone can take part in.
“The easiest way to save money and be more efficient is to turn off lights when leaving a room, turn off computers, TV, radios, etc. when not using them,” said Frank Vignola, director of the University’s Solar Radiation Monitoring Laboratory.
Though energy efficiency is an important part of the solution, Vignola said there are many more facets to the plan.
“We need to have a sustainable renewable energy mix to supply the power that we use,” Vignola said. “Energy efficiency is easy to test. Look at the energy bills before and after energy efficiency has been obtained. While it might not be easy to require industries to be efficient, one could charge a ‘carbon tax’ that would supply the carrot needed to move them to a more efficient operation. In the long term, energy efficiency will save them money.”
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Kitzhaber announces development of new energy plan at Future Energy Conference
Daily Emerald
April 19, 2011
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