City Club March Forum: The Bend Energy Challenge

What Does the Georgetown University Energy Prize Have to Do With Us?

Bend has officially advanced to the Semifinal round of the national competition that is challenging communities across the U.S. to rethink their energy use. At a press event in Washington, D.C., Bend was announced as one of the 50 local communities who are leading the way on energy efficiency.

This interactive City Club session will present an overview of what the Georgetown University Energy Prize competition means, how every Bend citizen can play a part, why it matters, and what could be done with the $5M prize.

“The Energy Prize competition challenges local communities to tap their imagination and work collaboratively to reduce energy consumption”, said Bend Mayor Jim Clinton. “It’s great fit for Bend’s creative, competitive and entrepreneurial spirit, and gives us a unique opportunity to build momentum for a clean, efficient and renewable energy future in Bend. ”

Bend’s local team in the Energy Prize competition is called The Bend Energy Challenge, a collaborative project of The Environmental Center and local utilities, government, schools and private businesses. The Bend Energy Challenge hopes to persuade 5,500 Bend households to reduce their energy use by at least 10%, through a combination of low-cost and do-it-yourself energy saving activities, home retrofits and going solar. They are also working with local government agencies to reduce their energy use by at least 10% at publicly owned and operated facilities throughout Bend.