Clean Energy Economy Extensive in Northwest

For more info: Kimberly Larson, Climate Solutions, 206-443-9570 x 36

Working in partnership with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and Idaho Power, the J. R. Simplot Company is whole-heartedly embracing energy efficiency. From management on down to floor workers, each employee has taken on the energy efficiency strategies with dedication and drive.

How did they do this? In 2008 the Northwest Food Processors Association (NWFPA) set a goal to reduce energy intensity by 25% in 10 years and 50% in 20 years. As an NWFPA member, Simplot is supporting the association’s energy goal by reducing their own energy intensity and working toward a unified energy efficiency goal.

The Oregon Association of Nurseries was also grappling with the issue of energy use. In the process of finding ways to cut their energy bills, they turned to NEEA. The organization, through strong partnerships with regional Northwest utilities, is helping maximize energy efficiency to meet the region’s future energy needs.

Aaron Fairchild, CEO of Green Canopy Homes, didn’t set out to be an “eco-capitalist” but with his work on retrofitting homes to save energy, that has become his mission.

“I want to transform the housing market to consider energy efficiency when homes are bought and sold,” said Fairchild.  

From every home retrofit, each Green Canopy Homes saves, on average, enough energy equal to taking one car permanently off the road, and employs an average of 50 people in the process. 

These and other stories are part of the new Solutions Stories Project aimed at capturing and communicating clean energy economy success stories in the Northwest, including progress on clean energy and energy efficiency. Climate Solutions, a Northwest-based clean energy economy nonprofit, is spearheading the project. There are multiple partners and sponsors. NEEA joined the project as a founding sponsor, and Green Canopy Homes is another sponsor for the launch. The editorially independent online news organization EnergyNow.com is media partner. 

Claire Fulenwider, NEEA’s executive director, talks about their work with J.R. Simplot through the Northwest Food Processors Association: “NEEA has  been working with executives in the Northwest Food Processors Association to help them integrate efficiency into their corporate planning process, to increase the productivity of their output and increase their profitability.”

“The clean energy economy is happening now, with real gains in clean energy and energy efficiency projects that at the same time show how we are building the economy,” said Gregg Small, Executive Director for Climate Solutions.  “Illuminating solutions stories at scale bolsters the work we’re all doing to build bright, bold future for our communities and country.”

The project launched when members of Congress return to their states and districts for the August recess.  Three pilot videos feature different stories in distinct industries and states:

•    J.R. Simplot, a food processing company headquartered in Idaho, is proving that the food processing industry, the 2nd largest industrial consumer of energy in the Northwest, can profitably focus on energy efficiency.
•    Oregon’s Fisher Farms is a plant nursery that has committed to NEEA’s 25inTENsity Challenge by reducing their energy intensity  by 25% in 10 years with help from the Oregon Association of Nurseries;  and
•    Green Canopy Homes, based in Washington, is a small but growing residential retrofitting company that focuses on energy efficiency in all its properties.

All three stories, including the video vignettes and additional information, can be found at the www.solutions-stories.org.

Climate Solutions is a Northwest-based clean energy economy nonprofit that works to accelerate practical and profitable solutions to global warming by galvanizing leadership, growing investment and bridging divides.  www.climatesolutions.org

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is a non-profit organization working to maximize energy efficiency to meet future energy needs. NEEA is supported by, and works in collaboration with, the Bonneville Power Administration, Energy Trust of Oregon and more than 100 Northwest utilities on behalf of more than 12 million energy consumers. www.neea.org

Green Canopy Homes renovates Seattle homes with quality, energy efficiency, and today’s lifestyles in mind. Their goal is to re-use and remodel homes in local neighborhoods using leading efficiency methods and materials, while keeping the original charm and home design intact. www.greencanopyhomes.com

energyNOW! is America’s only television newsmagazine focused on energy and climate issues. The weekly show was created to examine America’s energy challenges, and what we’re doing about them.  energyNOW! airs every weekend on Bloomberg Television and always online at www.energynow.com

All videos were produced in partnership with Hal Calbom Communications and More Dust Than Digital.