Green Power
Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency designated Corvallis as the third Green Power Community in the nation, after Moab, Utah and Boulder, Colorado. This means we exceed the EPA's recommendations on using renewable energy, a fairly remarkable commitment from the entire community.
Last November, city council president Charlie Tomlinson issued a challenge to our community: If 1,900 Corvallis households would sign up for renewable energy through Pacific Power's Blue Sky program, then we would have the highest usage of renewable energy in all of Oregon. We beat that number, with a grand total of 2,811 households and 93 businesses signing up for Blue Sky's renewable wind energy. The wind energy we purchase reduces the levels of carbon dioxide emissions in an amount equivalent to the removing 3,500 cars from the roads, or planting 300,000 trees each month.
In addition, several businesses in town have converted over to solar power through the Solar CREEK program. First Alternative Coop and Old World Deli were among the first businesses to install solar panels. Lincoln Elementary School also has a solar array and both high schools will switch to part solar power by 2007.
If you haven't already made the switch to renewable energy yourself, please at least consider doing so. It does cost slightly more, just as organic foods tend to cost slightly more than food from industrial farms. But the cost difference is a matter of pennies and the benefits to the environment are worth it. The Corvallist household switched over to Blue Sky about six months ago and the average power bill each month increased by less than $2 per month.
Corvallis has been a green community for ages, but it's nice to garner a little formal recognition. We have an extensive group of car owners in town who use biodiesel, including Jacques Chiron and his famous Turf Car. We have one of the highest percentages of bike commuters in the nation. We have organic food in virtually every store in town, not just the Coop, and Corvallis was one of the first cities in the country to start a free curbside recycling program. It's like there are tree-hugging hippies on every corner! Or maybe not. But our green-ness is definitely something to be proud of.
Last November, city council president Charlie Tomlinson issued a challenge to our community: If 1,900 Corvallis households would sign up for renewable energy through Pacific Power's Blue Sky program, then we would have the highest usage of renewable energy in all of Oregon. We beat that number, with a grand total of 2,811 households and 93 businesses signing up for Blue Sky's renewable wind energy. The wind energy we purchase reduces the levels of carbon dioxide emissions in an amount equivalent to the removing 3,500 cars from the roads, or planting 300,000 trees each month.
In addition, several businesses in town have converted over to solar power through the Solar CREEK program. First Alternative Coop and Old World Deli were among the first businesses to install solar panels. Lincoln Elementary School also has a solar array and both high schools will switch to part solar power by 2007.
If you haven't already made the switch to renewable energy yourself, please at least consider doing so. It does cost slightly more, just as organic foods tend to cost slightly more than food from industrial farms. But the cost difference is a matter of pennies and the benefits to the environment are worth it. The Corvallist household switched over to Blue Sky about six months ago and the average power bill each month increased by less than $2 per month.
Corvallis has been a green community for ages, but it's nice to garner a little formal recognition. We have an extensive group of car owners in town who use biodiesel, including Jacques Chiron and his famous Turf Car. We have one of the highest percentages of bike commuters in the nation. We have organic food in virtually every store in town, not just the Coop, and Corvallis was one of the first cities in the country to start a free curbside recycling program. It's like there are tree-hugging hippies on every corner! Or maybe not. But our green-ness is definitely something to be proud of.
posted by Corvallist at
7:14 PM
3 Comments:
As you mention, many of the green measure can cost a little more, so consumers are forced to put a tangible price on their green efforts.
There are some steps that are cheaper. I’ve been phasing in compact fluorescent lights around our house. I tried some several years ago when they were expensive and unreliable. Now I’ve found them at an excellent price and over the past six months I’ve found them to be very durable.
I’ve been car shopping a bit and I’m leaning toward a turbo diesel that gets great mileage and I could run on bio-diesel if I liked. High gas prices are a hardship for many, but my time spent in Europe tells me that higher prices will drive more economical design and smarter consumer habits.
Congratulations to Corvallis for its Green Power designation. It’s good to see people put their money where their values lie. I think more people will start to see the economic sense in alternative energies as the true costs of oil become more evident.
Michael
By
Michael Smith, at 8:48 PM
Happiest birthday, sis!
I love you!
Big Bro.
(of course, no need to approve this post)
By
Anonymous, at 6:29 PM
I am PROUD to be a part of this Corvallis you speak of. Every time I get around by bike (which is more and more) I seem to be pretty mindful of the lessened impact. We signed up with blue sky right before Earth day... although the lady who did the presentation on blue sky at the co op forgot to turn in my postcard (I had a funny feeling she would).
Great post... glad you're a fellow citizen. I saw a sea green sticker with white letters that said CORVALLIST. My friend says he got it from an author... would that be you?
By
crallspace, at 8:13 PM
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