The nonprofit Energy Trust of Oregon, which is funded by several of the state’s utilities, has accelerated efforts to reach more areas of the state with its energy-saving and renewable power programs for residential customers, small and large businesses, manufacturers, farmers and schools.
With help from Energy Trust of Oregon, customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power and NW Natural in the Willamette Valley saved $6.8 million on their energy bills by completing projects at 17,210 locations last year.
The Edward C. Allworth Veterans’ Home in Lebanon, for example, worked with Energy Trust of Oregon in 2014 to build its facility using high-performance construction techniques, energy-efficient equipment and an 85.7 kW solar electric system.
Energy Trust of Oregon worked with Kettle Brand chips to help it get more from its energy. Kettle Foods, a division of Diamond Foods and a manufacturer of natural potato chips, has reduced its energy use intensity by 13 percent. It earned an incentive of more than $23,000 toward energy-saving improvements, and has been able to save more than 1.1 million kWh — about $70,000 in energy cost savings.