April 2023 Newsletter

May 4, 2023

FROM THE BLOG:

Ready to start electrifying? Conduct a home inventory—and start swapping things out.
Home electrification is a process, not a single project. You may take months, or even years, to fully transition your home, and the process will look a little different for everyone. But there is one first step that applies to every home: Conduct a home inventory and take stock of where you are today. Once you take stock, you’ll likely find a few things you can swap out right away!

Read our home inventory guide—and download our free worksheet

Upcoming Events

Electrification 101

Free webinar presented by ElectrifyPDX

Wednesday, May 3rd | 1-2pm PacificLooking to make your home more energy-efficient, comfortable, and climate-friendly? Join us for a webinar on the benefits of home electrification! Invite a friend—help us spread the word about the benefits of clean energy.

In just an hour, you’ll learn about the many advantages of electrifying your home, from reducing your household emissions to saving money on your energy bills. We’ll share insights and practical tips on how to upgrade your home’s heating, cooling, and appliances, what incentives are available, and how to clean up your electric supply. We’ll also be ready to answer your electrification questions.

Register online

 

A Gas Utility Goes Electric

Electrify Now Webinar

Wednesday, April 19 | 12-1:30pm Pacific

Can gas utilities play a role in shifting our economy away from fossil fuels? One gas utility is innovating ways to embrace electrification. Utilities that sell fossil gas are at an existential crossroads. Burning gas to heat our homes and buildings produces carbon emissions, methane leakage, and significant indoor and outdoor air pollution. Vermont Gas Systems (VGS) is exploring innovative ways to transition to a clean energy future by embracing the clean energy technologies that other utilities all over the US are actively fighting against. Join Electrify Now for a lunchtime webinar that explores how a gas utility can voluntarily help usher in and potentially thrive in an all-electric, decarbonized future.

Register online

Earth Day Events

Electrification Open House

Saturday, April 22nd | 11am-2pm

How does a home look, feel, and function after full electrification, powered by a grid-tied solar array and whole-home battery backup system? If you’ve wondered about the pros and cons, logistics, and costs involved in electrifying everything in your home, then please consider attending the Electrification Open House on April 22nd between 11am – 2pm at the Musser home at 3225 NE 29th Avenue, Portland, 97212

Register online

We’ll be tabling at several Earth Day events around town!

Come visit us and other environmental organizations at:

  • Kailash EcoVillage Earth Day Event
    Saturday, April 22nd | noon to 6pm
    4311 SE 37th Ave.
  • Earth Day at Scott School
    Saturday, April 22nd | 3-5pm
    Scott Elementary School
  • Creation Care Fair
    Sunday, April 23rd | 9am to 12:30pm
    St. Luke Lutheran Church
  • PPS Student Climate Fair
    Monday April 24th 10am to 3pm
    PSU Smith Memorial Student Union

Interested in volunteering? We are looking for friendly faces to help us table and do outreach. Email shannon@electrifypdx.org to sign up.

Oregon Legislative Session Spotlight: Healthy Heating and Cooling for All Bill (SB 868) ⁠

This bill, which is part of the Resilient Buildings bill package now moving through the Oregon state legislature, aligns our energy efficiency programs with our state climate goals, accelerates heat pump deployment, and ramps up other energy efficiency efforts like weatherizing and retrofitting existing homes. If passed, the bill will:

  • Set a target to install 500k new heat pumps that will both heat and cool homes affordably and efficiently
  • Provide financial assistance and other help to purchase and install heat pumps
  • Prioritize low-income households and those at highest risk from extreme weather

Check out the work that @buildingresilience_ is doing to support this bill and the latest Families for Climate blog post summarizing bills we’re supporting and how you can help get them passed!

New business certification: Harka Architecture

Congrats to Harka Architecture, the latest business to earn their ElectrifyPDX certification! Harka renovated their beautiful NE Portland Art Deco building to be net zero. They installed energy efficient insulation, a heat pump, rooftop solar, and myriad artistic touches, including repurposed original woodwork and a gorgeous moss wall.

Have a trusted contractor to add to our list?

We are looking to expand our list of trusted contractors who can help our community transition to clean energy. If you have a business you’d recommend, send an email to shannon@electrifypdx.org

Invite ElectrifyPDX to come speak to your group, organization or company

We are always looking for groups to speak with, so we can spread the word about the benefits of electrification! If your church group, employer, non-profit org, trade group, etc. would be interested in hearing us speak, please email shannon@electrifypdx.org!