
Watch the Replay:
Restoring Healthy Soil Forum
How can you build healthy soil ecosystems through the use of bioremediation? Cuauhtemoc Villa, soil educator and acclaimed soil expert, joined us to provide fascinating insight into this topic. He discussed probiotic techniques you can apply to your own gardening and home landscaping to build healthy microorganism communities and support the bioremediation of other natural systems.
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Watch the replay: From Policy to Climate Action Webinar
Climate change is a complicated issue and it’s often hard to track what is going on at the policy level and how each of us can be part of the solution.
On March 8, 2023, we had some questions for leading NW climate advocates Gregg Small and Meredith Connolly from Climate Solutions. Watch the video replay and hear straightforward information on what you can do to reduce your climate impact.
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How and When to Begin your Electrification Journey
Electrifying your Life is Climate Action
Over the last year, the LOSN “Electrify LO” campaign has promoted the importance of moving away from fossil fuels toward electrification of vehicles and homes as among the most important ways we can reduce our carbon footprint and address the climate crisis. Now we can dive into when and how to electrify with information on financial incentives for home electrification and electric vehicles, how to choose a contractor for heat pumps for space conditioning, and how to try out an induction cooktop.
What Incentives Are Available Now? What Other Incentives Are Coming?
On January 1, 2023, new tax credits became available for many home electrification and energy efficiency projects including weatherization, heat pump water heaters, heat pumps for space heating and cooling, electrical panel upgrades, rooftop solar and home battery storage systems.
Later this year (or early 2024) additional upfront discounts (also called rebates) will become available for these improvements for lower-income and some middle-income families. The discounts, which can be combined with the tax credits, can be additionally used for induction and electric stoves, new wiring, and heat pump clothes dryers.
One more discount, available at all income levels, is called a whole home energy reduction rebate and it rewards homeowners for overall energy use reductions.
READ MORE ….
Where Should You Start?
To start your electrification journey, consider getting an assessment from a home performance contractor who can develop a holistic, integrated plan for your home. They can help you smoothly, efficiently and economically stage your project while maximizing the discounts and tax credits. A Guide from Rewiring America has case studies showing how to think about maximizing the financial incentives over several years.
To see how this works check out the Rewiring America calculator. Put in a few pieces of information to determine if you are eligible for upfront discounts. If your eligibility is limited to tax credits, get a home performance assessment for assistance in staging your projects over several years to maximize your tax credits. If you are eligible for discounts, plan, but consider waiting until more information is available about your eligibility before you start your project.
Finally, even with these tax credits and discounts and knowing that you will likely save hundreds of dollars every year in reduced energy costs, these upfront costs can be daunting. Craft 3, a nonprofit lender, offers home energy loans with competitive interest rates and repayment through your PGE bill.
Also, ask your HVAC contractor about financing options that they have. Some of the major HVAC brands offer low or even zero interest loans through their preferred dealers which can help you to avoid the up-front cost and also avoid additional interest payments. Be aware however, that those zero interest plans can come with steep penalties for missing a payment. If you are diligent about payments, a zero interest loan can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
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Inflation Reduction Act - in brief
The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Biden on August 16, represents the most important federal climate legislation ever signed into law. It is estimated that the bill will reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by about 40% below the nation’s previous peak. There are incentives you can get now while others will take effect on January 1, 2023.
Electric Vehicles
The bill extends the $7500 tax credit for many EV cars, but the rules are complicated and change over time. Some EVs which qualify for incentives now may not qualify after the first of the year, while some that don’t qualify now will after January 1, 2023. So if you are considering getting an EV check out our EV project page now for the most up-to-date fact sheet on EV Financial Incentives.
Business incentives for EVs are especially enciting. Check out why here.
Home Electrification
The law includes many ways to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from your home. Tax credits for rooftop solar are available immediately. After January 1, tax credits become available for home energy efficiency upgrades, heat pumps for space conditioning and hot water heaters, electrical panel upgrades, home weatherization, and battery storage–no matter one’s income. Additional tax credits are available for families with income thresholds.
These home electrification incentives can be substantial adding up to as much as $14,000 per household. Check out the list of incentives available and how much you may qualify for by using the Rewiring America calculator. and find more electrification tips on our Electrify LO page.
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- June 10, 2023
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James Recycling Event June 10, 2023 10:00 am - 1:00 pm First Baptist Church | 123 S.E. Cowls St., McMinnville, ORSee more details
McMinnville Plastic Project Recycling Event
Click here for details.
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- June 14, 2023
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James Pop-up Recycling Event June 14, 2023 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Beanstalk Children's Resale FREMONT LOCATION | 3527 NE 15th Ave., Portland, OR 97212See more details
Beanstalk Children's Resale Clothing
Click here for details. -
Webinar: Induction Cooking - Your Questions Answered June 14, 2023 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm OnlineSee more details
Webinar: Get Your Questions Answered on Induction
Join Electrify Now as we explore how to make the switch to induction. We'll talk to experts who will take your questions on what to plan for, what brands and models to consider and how much induction costs. We will cover the performance advantages of induction, the pros and cons of cooktops versus ranges, what features and options to consider and what you need to know to have one installed in your home. We will even cover tips on how to cook with induction to get the best results.
Click here to register.Brought to you by Electrify Now & the Electrify Coalition
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- June 20, 2023
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City Council & Redevelopment Agency Meeting June 20, 2023 3:00 pm - 6:00 pmSee more details
For more info: city council & redevelopment agency meeting info
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Electrification Open House June 20, 2023 5:00 pm - 8:00 pmSee more details
Wondering about electrifying your home, what it would entail, when to start, how much it might cost, & how much you might start?
If you’ve wondered about the pros and cons, logistics, and costs involved in electrifying everything in your home (e.g. the use of heat pumps for space heating and cooling; heat pump for hot water; cooking via induction; generating and storing power through PV solar with battery backup), then please consider attending the Electrification Open House.
See how you would heat and cool the home, cook food, and provide power to your appliances, even during unexpected grid outages.
Speak with homeowners who have been through the process of electrification on several of their homes in which they’ve lived. Learn about the current tax credits and upcoming rebates and incentives of the Inflation Reduction Act. Hear how the local contractors completed the electrification projects for them here in Portland.
This event is free.
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- June 22, 2023
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Pollinator Celebration June 22, 2023 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Luscher Farm City Park, 125 Rosemont Rd, West Linn, OR 97068, USASee more details
In honor of National Pollinator Week, the community is holding a Pollinator Celebration at Luscher Farm with Bee Talks, Bird Walks, Crafts, Live Music, Pollinator Parade & More.
Come join the folks at Luscher Farm, OSU Master Gardeners, Oswego Lake Watershed Council, Lake Grove Garden Club, and others at this first annual Pollinator Celebration.
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- June 27, 2023
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Special City Council & Redevelopment Agency Meeting June 27, 2023 3:00 pm - 6:00 pmSee more details
For more info: city council & redevelopment agency meeting info
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- July 8, 2023
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James Recycling Event July 8, 2023 10:00 am - 12:30 pm Exceed Enterprises | 5285 SE Mallard Way, MilwaukieSee more details
James Recycling at Exceed Enterprise
Click here for details.
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