Community Energy

CLI’s Community Energy Program is engaged in research, education and technical assistance on alternative ways to help communities improve the way energy is used and expand the use of locally generated distributive low and carbon free energy production. 

Current projects include investigations into and practical application of methods for engaging whole communities in increasing energy conservation and efficiency and expanding the use of renewable energy. These include:

Solarize Eugene

The Eugene Water & Electric Board awarded TRIG its 2011 Greenpower Grant for our Solarize Eugene project. Our goal is to dramatically increase residential solar electricity and hot water generation. This exciting new project will be a solar volume-purchasing project based on successful Solarize programs throughout Oregon. 

Community Solar Tool (CST)

We worked with the University of Oregon to create the Community Solar Tool (CST) to support the development of community-owned "solar garden" projects. Visit the online decision support tool at http://communitysolar.dyndns.org. Sarah Mazze, Project Manager, conducted an in-depth webinar introducing the CST which you can view here. (Note that the file is best viewed on a PC using Windows Media Player and requires the Gotomeeting codec.)

GreenShares

GreenShares grew out of a Climate Showcase Communities grant to the City of Corvallis from the EPA. The program as a whole is called Energize Corvallis and is made up of four projects intended to reduce per capita energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in the City of Corvallis. TRIG staff will work with employees in the fields of residential energy and water use to prompt and encourage energy-smart behaviors from their customers.