The Environmental Center

Your home, your air!
2017-10-18 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This workshop will take you through the steps of a whole house retrofit of a 1971 home by walking through first Earth Advantage remodel project in Central Oregon. The step by step discussion will take the fear and mystery our of a whole-house retrofit. Using the motto “build tight, ventilate right,” this community demonstration project showcases the products and techniques to make your home healthy and efficient at the same time.
Presented by Matt Douglas, Earth Advantage, and Louise Palmer, homeowner.
Please RSVP for this event.
This home will be open to tour on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 12:00 – 4:00, with additional workshops on Thursday, 10/19 from 2:00 – 3:00 and Saturday, 10/21 from 11:00 – 12:00.

Your home, your air!
2017-10-19
This workshop will take you through the steps of a whole house retrofit of a 1971 home by walking through first Earth Advantage remodel project in Central Oregon. The step by step discussion will take the fear and mystery our of a whole-house retrofit. Using the motto “build tight, ventilate right,” this community demonstration project showcases the products and techniques to make your home healthy and efficient at the same time.
Presented by Matt Douglas, Earth Advantage, and Louise Palmer, homeowner.
Please RSVP for this event.
The home will be open to tour from 12:00 – 4:00 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Your home, your air!
2017-10-21
This workshop will take you through the steps of a whole house retrofit of a 1971 home by walking through first Earth Advantage remodel project in Central Oregon. The step by step discussion will take the fear and mystery our of a whole-house retrofit. Using the motto “build tight, ventilate right,” this community demonstration project showcases the products and techniques to make your home healthy and efficient at the same time.
Presented by Louise Palmer, homeowner.
Please RSVP for this event.
This home will be open to tour on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 12:00 – 4:00.

Candlelight Dinner
2018-02-23
Learn how to reduce your utility bills, light up your home all winter long with LEDs, and win FREE raffle prizes! Dine as normal – talk to the experts.
Join us at our partner restaurant, Sisters Saloon. For more information,

Go Clean Energy Conference
2018-07-13
The second annual Central Oregon Energy Conference where businesses, government, organizations and individuals will connect on new issues and opportunities about energy and efficiency. Join the innovators in Central Oregon and be a part of it! Whether you’re from a nonprofit, small business, property owner, real estate, restaurant, industry, cannabis grower, or just an individual — you’ll find a way to plug in.
New Oregon policies will provide incentives for everyone: from low to moderate income to small and large businesses.
Join Roger Worthington, Worthy Brewery, along with Ashley Hammond, Sunriver Brewing. They will share their tips on training your staff to reduce waste, plastics, vending, and a bulk buy to save money. Small & large businesses can learn strategies to reduce energy use, along with low cost/no cost tips to save money and the planet.

Race to the Finish: American Solar Car Challenge 2018
2018-07-22
See solar cars competing in the American Solar Challenge 2018 cross the finish line at the Museum!
Beginning on July 14, collegiate solar car teams will race more than 1,700 miles, following portions of the Oregon National Historic Trail and other trails starting in Nebraska and ending at the High Desert Museum. Watch the solar cars complete their historic journey, meet the teams behind the cars, explore the power of the sun and contrast stories from the past with the possibilities of the future.
The solar cars are expected to arrive between 11:30 am and 4:00 pm, depending on traffic, weather and energy management decisions made by each team.

National Drive Electric Week Event - Bend
2018-09-12
Interested in owning an electric car?
Got questions about home charging, maintenance, costs, energy savings, and winter driving? Come see, and ask the owners questions about these electric vehicles:

Kia Soul Electric
Nissan Leaf
BMW i3
VW e-Golf
Chevrolet Bolt
Arcimoto SRK
Tesla Model 3, Model S, and Model X
Zero FXS Electric Motorcycle

The event is part of National Drive Electric Week. Find out more at DriveElectricWeek.org.

2017 Net Zero Fellowship Research: Approaching Net Zero for Today's Buildings
2018-09-26
Energy Trust of Oregon’s annual Net Zero Fellowship research grant aims to uncover potential barriers slowing the widespread adoption of net zero commercial building design while growing the community constructing these remarkable buildings.
Shilpa Surana of Brightworks Sustainability was selected for the inaugural Net Zero Fellowship, with supporting input from partners at Skanska and Gerding Edlen. Shilpa studied two real buildings in the city of Portland – one midrise multifamily and one midrise office – to identify how these same structures could be built today to approach net zero energy consumption.
Relatively little research exists on net zero energy strategies for midrise office and multifamily buildings, despite these types making up a significant percentage of the real estate market. Over the last 18 months, Shilpa aimed to identify the most cost-effective energy improvements for these buildings to explore paths toward net zero energy performance. The research pairs her energy modeling outcomes with construction cost premiums and development proformas to create a greater understanding of barriers and opportunities.
While Shipla’s research does not aim to demonstrate cost parity between net zero and conventional buildings, her approach used multiple iterations of systems and costs to hone in on some of the most cost-effective strategies. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Shipla’s research exercise and design considerations for maximizing energy efficiency.
RSVP for this event.

Presenters:
Shilpa Surana, Energy Analyst, LEED Ap BD+C, CPHC, Brightworks Sustainability, Energy Trust 2017 Net Zero Fellow
Steve Clem, Vice President of Pre-Construction, Skanska
About the 2017 Net Zero Fellow:
Shilpa has over 7 years of experience providing energy analysis and energy modeling services for high-performance building design and projects pursuing sustainability frameworks. She is a former LEED energy model reviewer who helps design teams set energy performance targets, identify energy efficiency measures, simulate results, and make expert recommendations based on the relative and absolute impacts of various strategies. Her modeling career includes diverse project experience including offices, restaurants, warehouses, medical facilities, schools, stadiums and campuses. She has experience modeling advanced strategies such as displacement ventilation, absorption chillers, thermal storage, geothermal heat pumps, and radiant heating and cooling systems.
PROFESSIONALS TAKING THIS TRAINING IN-PERSON IN BEND, OR ARE ELIGIBLE FOR 1 CCB OR 1 AIA/LU CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT.
LIGHT REFESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED. A TEMPORARY PARKING PERMIT IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR ATTENDEES.

Destination Zero: Buildings as catalysts to a clean energy reality
2018-09-27
Green Tour Keynote Kickoff
In Bend, 53% of our carbon emissions come from buildings. And energy use is the primary driver of those emissions.
But our buildings don’t have to be energy guzzlers. There are real-world ways to drastically reduce how much energy our buildings use and even bring it to zero.
Join us as we kick off the 18th annual Green Tour. We’ll explore how our homes, workplaces and government buildings can help us get to a low-carbon, clean energy future. Andrew Lee will make the case for zero energy buildings and show us how to get started through local and regional case studies.
This is a pivotal time for Bend—our climate legacy is being written right now as we dig into our very own climate action plan. We want to help our community explore all of the opportunities, big and small, to get us on the path to a low-carbon, clean energy future.
Real change happens when individuals come together in local communities to take bold action. Join us for our keynote presentation and the Tour so you can be a well-informed player that helps shape Bend’s climate legacy.
Our presenter: Andrew Lee, Director, Zero Energy Program, International Living Future Institute
Andrew Lee directs the Zero Energy and Zero Carbon certification programs for the International Living Future Institute. He provides key thought leadership on how buildings can catalyze a shift towards a clean and regenerative energy future and serve as an effective mechanism for climate action. His most recent work involved carbon emissions reduction policy and collaborating with over a dozen local governments in the US to develop policy roadmaps to achieve a zero energy building sector.
Thank you to Worthy Brewing for helping Andrew Lee to Bend.
RSVP for this event

2018 Green Tour
2018-09-29
On the Green Tour, you’ll see real-world solutions that reduce energy use and increase solar production in residential and commercial buildings right here in Central Oregon. For the 18th year in a row, everyday heroes across our community will open their doors so that we can learn and benefit from their journeys and experiences. They all have a story to tell—and they want to share it with you!
Now, more than ever, it’s important for all of us to make a change under our own roofs—no matter how big or small. We hope the 2018 Green Tour inspires you to find new ways to save energy and go solar, at home and at work.
You can check out the map of sites below and learn more about each of the sites on the Green Tour page.

Fall Energy Symposium
2018-11-01 - 2018-11-02
Advancing a clean energy economy across Oregon
Sustainable Northwest in partnership with The Environmental Center is hosting the third annual Fall Energy Symposium in Bend, Oregon on November 1 & 2, 2018. This 2-day event will bring together community leaders, businesses, elected officials, ranchers, farmers, and agency partners to identify strategies to advance clean energy initiatives across Oregon.
Panel discussions and events include:

Solar, storage, and microgrids, presented by the Oregon Department of Energy
Oregon’s Community Solar Program with the Oregon Public Utility Commission
A path to net zero for public facilities
An incremental guide to Energy Planning: Perspectives from City of Talent, Hood River County, and City of Bend
Policy roundup: Featuring Carbon Cap-and-Invest, Senate Bill 978, and evolutions on solar siting
Green building tour at Bend Science Station and reception at The Environmental Center on Thursday evening

Register today!
For questions about the Symposium or the Making Energy Work for Rural Oregon Network contact Bridget Callahan, Energy Program Associate, at (503) 756-0494 or bcallahan@sustainablenorthwest.org.

Weekend Workshop: Wind Energy
2018-12-15
Families can explore together in this renewable energy workshop. Learn about different energy sources and how engineers have gotten some of their best ideas from nature. Design and test your own wind turbine blades to harness the wind.

2019 Green Tour
2019-09-28
On the Green Tour, you’ll see real-world solutions that reduce energy use and increase solar production in residential and commercial buildings right here in Central Oregon.
Everyday heroes across our community will open their doors so that we can learn and benefit from their journeys and experiences. They all have a story to tell—and they want to share it with you! We have everything from a 1920 retrofit to a zero energy home, cottage communities and ADUs to an affordable housing apartment complex, electric cars to battery storage, and irrigation modernization to cannabis growing, there is something for everyone!
We are seeking Volunteers for the Green Tour! Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a green building expert to volunteer. Click on the link to fill out our volunteer form and we’ll get in touch with more information. Questions? Email kersey@envirocenter.org.

Leading on Climate: Local and state policies establish leadership on climate solutions
2019-10-30
Please RSVP in advance!
RSVP HERE
Join us on Wednesday, October 30th to learn about the Clean Energy Jobs Bill (HB 2020) and Bend’s Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) and hear from local climate advocates and POW (Protect Our Winters) athletes.
We are at a critical juncture with climate policies that can establish leadership on climate solutions at the state and local levels with the Clean Energy Jobs Bill (HB2020) and Bend’s Community Climate Action Plan that will be voted on in the next few months.
Meaningful action is needed at all levels of government to mitigate and adapt to climate change, protect the public trust, ensure a resilient community, and leave a healthy environment and atmosphere for future generations. Now is the time for our community and state to adopt climate-smart policies that address the impacts of climate change, complement economic development, and contribute to a thriving and livable community. Come learn how you can support these local initiatives and be an advocate for change!
We will be joined by:

Graham Zimmerman and Stephanie Violett, climate advocates with POW (Protect Our Winters), will share why they worry about more than just powder days when it comes to a changing climate and the importance of climate action. Graham is a professional alpinist who has seen the effects of climate change around the world and Stephanie is a runner, nutritionist, and coach based here in Bend.
Zach Baker will give a quick update on the 2019 Clean Energy Jobs bill (HB 2020), including the final set of amendments and the cap and invest bill that will be before the legislature in the 2020 legislative session. Zach works for Climate Solutions who has been a leading voice on Oregon climate policy and has over a decade of policy and advocacy experience focused on protecting the environment and promoting public health.
Lindsey Hardy who co-chairs Bend’s Climate Action Steering Committee (CASC), which was charged with assembling the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP), will provide an overview of the plan that will be presented to City Council for adoption this fall. Review the CCAP Executive Summary here.

Common Ground: Renewable Energy Solutions
2019-11-20
A move toward greater reliance on renewable energy will help us to reduce our impact on the climate. But how do we weigh the pros and cons of different renewable energy options? How do we make decisions that take both long- and short-term impacts into account? What personal roles do we play? Curators Louise Shirley and Carolyn Nesbitt will lead a conversation among participants. Share your own thoughts and listen to other perspectives. Common Ground programs bring the community together to discuss important topics and hear different points of view in respectful and thoughtful ways.

Basics of Solar Workshop - Bend
2020-03-02
Come learn about solar!
At the Basics of Solar Workshop, Solar Oregon will answer your questions and help you take the first step to adding solar to your home. Solar Oregon will answer your questions about how solar works and share information about incentives available.

The event is free and open to everyone.
This workshop is made possible with support from Energy Trust of Oregon

Hang Dry Week!
2022-08-21 - 2022-08-27
Hang Dry Week is an annual, weeklong event to celebrate the incredible pollution-saving effects of hang drying laundry. During this week, we encourage people to try to hang dry their laundry to see the energy saving potential of this “original form of solar energy.”
Post a photo of your hanging clothes to Instagram with the tag #hangdryweek or email a photo to joew@electrifynow.net for the chance to win a prize!

2022 Go Clean Energy Conference
2022-10-06
Live & Virtual at
Central Oregon Community College
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Individuals, businesses, & government discover opportunities in clean energy, efficiency, sustainability, electric mobility, and green jobs.

REGISTER HERE Before September 1 to get the GREAT Early Bird discount of $29!
Some business sessions have attendee restrictions (40 Max) & will be handled on a first come first served basis.
