Community organizations in Emerald People’s Utility District’s (EPUD's) service area have an opportunity to reduce their electric bills and support renewable energy through a $40,000 GREEN grant. GREEN stands for Giving Renewable Energy to Emerald Neighborhoods.
“We accomplished two goals with this grant,” said DeAnna Townsend, executive director of MidLane Cares. “We lowered our monthly electricity bill significantly and we are getting closer to reducing our carbon footprint. It was great to work with EPUD and we were impressed with the professionalism shown by the solar system installers.”
Saving money for local nonprofits with clean energy is what this grant is about, said Patty Jo Angelini, EPUD public relations coordinator. “Our project helps community groups save money on electricity costs, freeing up funds that could be used to provide additional community services. Since some of these organizations rent office space we’ve made sure they also can receive these grant funds.”
Customers enrolled in Emerald PUD’s GREEN program fund these grants. “Our customers choose to pay an additional amount on the kilowatt-hours used each month,” Angelini said. “It is heart-warming to see customers dedicate $5 to $10 per month to help the environment and support renewable community projects.”
GREEN program supporters also help keep the air clean. Every year, the average residential GREEN participant avoids releasing more than 708 pounds of greenhouse gas (CO2-e) into the air and pollution from driving the average car more than 787 miles.
Organizations can apply for the GREEN grant online or submit a paper application. The deadline to submit completed applications has been extended to Monday, July 8. GREEN participants will vote on which project to fund.
To be grant eligible, an organization must be an Emerald PUD customer-owner and a non-profit organization, academic institution, or a public institution. Previous winners include Mid Lane Cares in Veneta, Creswell Food Bank, Pleasant Hill School District, and Lost Valley Education and Event Center in Dexter.
The GREEN grant is part of Emerald PUD’s long-standing commitment to our communities and to renewable energy. Examples include solar electric installations on Emerald PUD’s building and in several high schools the utility serves. EPUD also has supported wind power and biomethane energy production with the Short Mountain Methane Power Plant.
For more information, email Rob Currier or call at (541) 744-7402.