The team hit the ground running in 2024 by attending community events, supporting projects for local businesses, and planning give back projects. We’re excited to share the progress that’s been made in Q1!
Mercado Guadalajara
Marcelino worked with the owner of an authentic Mexican store to provide lighting upgrades through Pacific Power’s Wattsmart Small Business Lighting Program. This project cut down on the store’s electric bills and revitalized the Mercado Guadalajara store.
Annual Northwest Regional Managers Conference in Seaside Oregon
Josh Girard and Candy Hernandez had the opportunity to work at the Annual Northwest Regional Managers Conference in Seaside Oregon. The focus at the conference was to emphasize achieving business goals through clean energy options and community strengthening initiatives.
Bringing City Managers from various jurisdictions together within Pacific Power territory presents a valuable opportunity for collaboration and knowledge sharing. These partnerships can facilitate access to renewable energy sources, provide incentives for energy efficient practices and support community outreach initiatives focused on sustainability.
Focus on Energy
The Focus on Energy team conducted its first success story of the Community Impact Pilot program. The program partnered with Brings Cycling and Fitness, which has been owned and operated by Al Brings since the 1950s. This cycling shop is a fixture in Wisconsin Rapids, as most in the community remember getting their first bicycle there. They also have a fitness area for training and a shop that does maintenance on community bikes.
The Focus team facilitated a lighting project there that consisted of over 100+ 2×4 troffer fixtures, exterior lighting and sign lighting. This project will result in at least 25% energy savings for the customer and a major lighting improvement in their space that will be beneficial to the shop and the community they serve.
2024 PNW Giving Back Project – RootedHomes in Redmond
Evergreen is working with RootedHomes for the 2024 Pacific Northwest Giving Back Project. The Evergreen team includes Eric Wilson, Charlotte Morrow, Greg Harr, Mike Stothers, and Kandis Bray who will plan and manage the Giving Back Project.
The site in Redmond will include a 23-home community that will include new construction duplexes and triplexes that will be net zero, as well as the preservation of an over 100-year-old farmhouse. It will also include a large community garden that will be used as an outdoor classroom for Redmond public school students to expand sustainability efforts in the greater community.
Evergreen is planning to assist with the existing farmhouse at the site. Possible projects include workforce development training and reconstruction work. Field Specialists Kandis Bray and Mike Stothers visited the Redmond site in March with RootedHomes, The Environmental Center, Energy Trust of Oregon, and Greensavers. A walkthrough of the existing farmhouse was completed and energy-efficient upgrades were identified. The farmhouse will also require some simple projects that include porch reconstruction and site beautification. Evergreen will continue to work with and support RootedHomes for this PNW Giving Back project.
SOREDI Event, Southern Oregon
Candy Hernandez was offered the opportunity to attend a Southern Oregon Reginal Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI) event in Medford, Oregon in February. The SOREDI event discussed ways in which Oregon is changing and the plans they must make for Oregon to prosper. Pacific Power was invited to attend the meeting in hopes to inform the attendees of the different incentive programs Pacific Power and Energy Trust of Oregon have to offer. The Pacific Power team handed out information as well as some fun swag the attendees could take home.
Rocky Mountain Power at Khadeeja Islamic Center
In February, Carlos Moreno, our Community Outreach Coordinator, had a great meeting with the President of the Khadeeja Islamic Center, Mr. Yusuf Khanani, before the board of directors made their final decision on who would undertake the lighting projects for their buildings. A few days later, Carlos received a call from him appointing the Rocky Mountain Power team as the “best” choice to handle the lighting projects for some of the most sacred places within his community.
The team is working on lighting projects for two mosques and one cemetery in the Muslim community in Utah. These efforts are important for building stronger relationships within the community and serve as evidence of Rocky Mountain Power’s commitment to helping businesses in the community thrive.
The RMP team is having conversations with other Muslim leaders to continue working with them through the Wattsmart program.