Clean Energy Series to Bring Experts to the Klamath Basin in Fall 2018

In Fall 2018, the Oregon Renewable Energy Center and Population Health Management Research Center at the Oregon Institute of Technology are teaming up to host top experts in renewable energy and energy efficiency from throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Guests will present on strategies for the Klamath Basin to achieve its full potential and become a clean energy leader.

“We are very excited to bring this workshop series and experts in renewable energy and energy efficiency to the Klamath Basin,” said Nicholas Caleb, grant recipient from the Oregon Renewable Energy Center and co-organizer of the Klamath Basin Clean Energy Series. “We believe -- as do many others in the Pacific Northwest -- that the Klamath Basin is ripe for a clean energy transition that will stimulate the local economy, improve public health, lower energy costs, allow the community a large degree of energy independence, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” 

The series is part of a larger project that aims to set the stage for sustainable economic development planning that takes into account the impact of energy choices on community health. The project brings together areas of business, economics, sociology, renewable energy, engineering, and population health management.

Dr. Sophie Nathenson, Director of the Population Health Management Research Center and co-lead on the project said, “the Clean Energy Series will set the stage for innovative, strategic planning that will connect the dots between energy efficiency, economic development, and health.  The connections are there, and being able to learn from others, build on our local strengths, and set up a structure to include health impact into the mix is can have long lasting benefits to our wellbeing.” The Population Health Management Research Center is a hub of student learning-by-doing, working on projects for local organizations advancing the health of the region covering areas of education, food systems, and prevention. The research center will also host a course this fall for students of all majors at Oregon Tech on sustainable economic development.

“Having such a distinguished and diverse group of experts coming together for this workshop series, sharing their knowledge and experiences across the spectrum of energy efficiency, cleantech, sustainability, economic policy, and health highlights how a collaborative multidisciplinary approach not only enables, but enhances what can be done to provide sustainable economic growth to rural communities through the natural assets that these communities have,” said Dr. Mason Terry, Director of the Oregon Renewable Energy Center. “The Klamath Basin has tremendous potential to be a pillar in our energy infrastructure as our state, regional, and national energy generation mix shifts to renewable sources purely based on the economics and return on investment.”

Many significant changes are rapidly taking place in energy markets, technology, and policy. The Oregon Public Utility Commission recently adopted rules for a Community Solar Program that will bring smaller scale projects (under 3 MegaWatts) to the Basin while the Oregon legislature will consider Clean Energy Jobs legislation in 2019 that could change the landscape for renewable energy development. With abundant solar and geothermal energy potential as well as the expertise of the Oregon Institute of Technology, organized community support for a renewable energy and energy efficiency transition could be transformative for individuals, families, and communities throughout the Basin.

The Clean Energy Series will take place on 4 evenings in Fall 2018 -- Sept. 20, Oct. 25, Nov. 15, Dec. 6 -- from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Gaucho Collective in Klamath Falls. The workshops are open to the public and participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance. More details about the speakers and topics are provided below & a flyer is attached to this email.  

Time: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Dates: Sept. 20, Oct. 25, Nov. 15, Dec. 6
Place: Gaucho Collective, 1038 Main St, Klamath Falls, OR 97603

Workshops are open to the public. RSVP in advance because space is limited!

RSVP here: https://goo.gl/ebQxAp

Full Calendar, Topics, and Speakers:

September 20 - 100% Renewable Energy is Achievable
Leah Parks, Co-Author of ‘All Electric America’ & VP of Business Development at Op Connect
Nicholas Caleb, Staff Attorney at the Center for Sustainable Economy

October 25 - Local Clean Energy Strategies
Hannah Sohl, Director at Rogue Climate
Jaimes Valdez, Policy Manager at Spark Northwest

November 15 - Nuts and Bolts of New Energy Projects
Jennifer Rouda, Founder of 7Skyline, LLC
Bridget Callahan, Sustainable Northwest

December 6 - Community Energy Planning
Michael Colgrove, Director at Energy Trust of Oregon
Marla Harvey, Former Energy Plan Coordinator for Hood River County

Press release provided from Nicholas Caleb, Klamath Basin Clean Energy Series.