Project:
Enhance Cooperation between DOE and Universities
National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges
Project #:
DE-FG26-05NT42474
PI:
Ian L. Maw,
Vice President, NASULGC
Report:
Narrative Quarterly Report January 1, 2008 – March 30, 2008
This is the second quarterly report for the above reference project in the final year of a three-year
grant. Five separate subprojects were being conducted under the umbrella of this project. Three
of the initial projects have completed their work or have been discontinued due to the lack of
EERE funding. Two projects remain intact for this final year of funding, but with serious
reduction of scope due to the limitations of funding. One of these, the PNW Extension Energy
Initiative is being administered as a contract entity; the other, Project #3 – 4-H After School
Project is administered by NASULGC staff directly.
In spite of the reduction in funding, each of the two remaining projects, as can be seen from the
reports below, are making substantial progress.
***************
Project 1
PNW Extension Energy Initiative
January 1 to March 31, 2008
The Extension education network is being used to facilitate adoption of EERE technologies and
practices by citizens in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Alaska), a subset
of the Western Region. The WSU Extension Energy Program is providing technical assistanceconsultations for clients of Extension in the Pacific Northwest through the existing EERE
Information Center service, in particular for the primary target audience, those interested
individuals from local governments and agencies.
JOINT STATE ACTIVITIES
Lyla Houglum and Mike Harrington (executive directors for western region efforts in extension
and research, respectively) planned a 6 hour focus session on energy for the Western Experiment
Station and Extension Directors and Extension Program Leadership Committee joint meetings in
March. Outcomes of discussions included creating a team to develop a Western Energy
Consortium, expanding the PNW energy survey to the region, and developing partnerships with
state energy offices to advance consumer and business related energy education. Houglum and
Harrington also worked closely with the respective state energy Extension Specialists to
coordinate activities.
STATE ACTIVITIES
Alaska
Alaska Extension continues to work with a variety of state and local partners to assist
communities in the state. Two staff members contribute to energy efficiency and renewable
energy issues in the state.
Specific activities include:




Maintain up-to-date website of energy activities and information
http://www.uaf.edu/ces/faculty/seifert/
Participation in the Fairbanks Home Show, March 28-30, 2008. Staffed a booth,
provided information to many of the estimated 7000 attendees.
The Cooperative Extension Housing and energy team in Fairbanks has recently created
an important relationship with the Washington State University Extension Energy
Program in Olympia, WA. The relationship makes Alaska a partner in the Northwest
Building Efficiency Center, or NBEC. The NBEC, a brand new organization, is being
created as part of a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) effort to provide high-quality,
research based information to specific regions. The center has partnered with Alaska
through UAF, the Idaho Office of Energy Resources, the Montana Department of
Environmental Quality, Lighting Design Lab-Seattle City Light, and the Oregon
Department of Energy. WSU takes on the project management role, in part because of its
18-year history of delivering energy extension programs.
Produce quarterly Alaska Building Science News newsletter in collaboration with Alaska
Building Science Network, a member supported association of individuals, businesses,
builders, energy raters, material suppliers, weatherization contractors and organizations
dedicated to promoting energy efficiency as an essential component of durable, safe and
affordable housing in Alaska. (See attachment #1).
Oregon
Participants in Oregon continue to inform state officials, county commissioners, school districts,
and community, county liaisons and general citizens about EERE topics.
The OR Energy Extension Specialist has focused efforts on developing a farm assessment project
modeled after the OSU Industrial Assessment Center (faculty lead student assessments of NW
industries). This type of effort offers multiple "payoffs" including: direct support for regional
entities in identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency; an applied learning opportunity
for students; and a research opportunity to examine where energy costs lie and to identify the best
strategies to reduce those costs.
Two key products out of the assessments would be: a report to the assessed facility and
publication of the results for access by the general public. (Most likely in a web based format) It
would be ideal to be able to post the reports on a web site, for other to peruse and learn from. One
web page for the Summary, and a separate page outlining each recommendation along with a
downloadable spreadsheet to perform any calculations for a different set of input data.
The Energy Extension Specialist is working to identify potential funding agencies including the
Energy Trust of Oregon, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and Organically Grown
Distributors in Eugene, OR. Further contact will be made with, Organic Valley (their
sustainability coordinator), Idaho Power (regarding their efficient irrigation program), the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, ENSAVE (a VT private program which offers fee based farm
assessments).
Other activities include:
 Finalized the OSU Extension/Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) MOU to work
together on energy related issues (see attachment #2). Also worked with ODOE on a
contract to hire an OSU faculty member for work on home energy efficient appliances.




Attended the 8th Annual Northwest Harvesting Clean Energy Conference; made contacts
with USDA Rural Development Energy Specialists, and collected and provided
information about farm energy audits to Oregon Energy Specialist for follow-up. Also
provided materials about Extension for the OSU display at the conference and staffed the
display during the conference.
Arranged and coordinated meetings with University of Oregon and OSU faculty about
partnering on further development and expansion of the Climate Master Program, a
volunteer based program that helps individuals reduce their carbon footprint.
Reviewing and dating maps for wind energy folks, arranging for speaker to address
county farmers regarding what's happened to date and future wind tower expansion plans,
provided information for a person wishing to become a renewable energy site
coordinator. Monitored and maintained a wind Met tower.
Working with state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ, Clean Air Partnership
partner) to plan and direct work; refining spreadsheet to calculate diesel emissions and
fuel economy; developing basic user manual for spreadsheet; develop questionnaires to
determine reasons for fleet emissions improvements, to identify obstacles to such
improvements, and to evaluate our outreach work; contacting fleet operators to discuss
fleet emissions improvements; developing outreach materials; supporting development of
DEQ's Clean Fleets Excellence Recognition Program; assisting fleet operators
(particularly school districts) in obtaining funding for emissions retrofits; Some 30 fleet
managers and 6 fuel distributors were contacted - five have made requests for
information related to grant funding for installation of emissions control equipment.
Seven have requested applications for the Clean Fleets.
Idaho
Participants in Idaho continue to inform county commissioners, school districts, and community
and county liaisons about EERE topics and to inform growers with particular emphasis on energy
crops and renewable energy. The Extension specialist (jointly employed by Idaho and
Washington) continued to provide follow up and answers to respondents to the earlier state EERE
Survey and with other interested Extension staff; developed presentations of biofuels and
renewable energy for an ID Extension in service workshops in Caldwell and Idaho Falls; and
participated in EERE team communications.
Other specific activities:




Developed presentations for EERE In-service workshops in Idaho Falls and Caldwell.
Two in service workshops on EERE topics to facilitate professional Improvement for ID
Extension personnel.
Developed a web page for Family Economics which included topic relating to utilities,
water, and healthy homes with specific information on energy conservation resulting in
savings in the average home.
Discuss western energy issues with Western Extension Directors and Western
Experiment Station Directors, Discuss PNW project, EERE, and western energy survey
with Western Extension Directors.
Washington: The WSU Energy Extension Program continues to provide information via the
web including a weekly electronic newsletter “Energy Newsbriefs” which is sent to the
participating states.
Specific Activities:


The Energy center provided responses to several calls (cases) for information
The Extension specialist (jointly employed by Idaho and Washington) continued to
provide follow up to respondents to the earlier state EERE Survey and with interested
Extension staff; provided training session on biofuels and renewable energy at an inservice workshop to ID extension staff and participated in EERE team communications.
MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS
AK
ID
OR
WA (includes Energy Center)
H. M. Harrington
Total
5,392.27
7,360.28
27,852.17
4,692.80
1000.00
$46,297.52
Project 3.
4-H Youth Development
In October 2007, the 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology (4-H SET) mission
mandate was launched through the land-grant university Cooperative Extension Services.
The goal of 4-H SET is to enroll one million young people to complete 50 hours over a
five year period of curriculum work in the areas of science, engineering, and technology.
As stated in last year’s final report, the timing for involvement with the Department of
Energy in the training and deployment of the “Science of Energy” could not have been
better to coordinate with the 4-H SET effort, now underway every state and territory
within the land-grant system. For example, Iowa State University reported in their 2008
plans that they will use the “NEED/NASULGC curriculum and kits as a component of
the Iowa National SET Plan.” Other institutions are going in this direction as well.
Another important development since the last Project #3 report was the emergence of
energy as the top issue in the 2007 Cooperative Extension priority process setting
process. The report, “Strategic Opportunities for Cooperative Extension,” clearly
demonstrates the importance of energy issues for many stakeholders and faculty in a
system that represents work in more than 3,000 counties. As more and more
communities are looking at “Going Green,” energy is a large part of this conversation.
These four curricula have provided a science based foundation for some of the
conversations taking place during the training sessions with the adults delivering the
curriculum.
Training in the fourth curriculum unit, Science of Chemical Energy, was completed
January 9-11, 2008, with 4-H staff and personnel from 21 land-grant institutions
participating. The NEED Project developed this fourth curriculum unit which
participants again had the opportunity to test through the performance of science
experiments developed to demonstrate the critical elements of this unit. The skill level
necessary to complete each of the four curriculum units has increased, with this one being
the most difficult to date.
Deployment of the Science of Energy educational materials not only introduces youth to
the science and technology of energy systems, but in the process, strengthens their
understanding of the practical application of science and mathematics in a commodity
that is used daily. Additionally, there is often strong transference of the knowledge to the
family through this method of deployment.
During this reporting period, participating institutions have submitted plans detailing
dissemination of this fourth curriculum model. Interestingly enough, the initial pilot
institutions are now using all four curriculum units in their educational work.
Direct teaching planned uses are varied, from working in conjunction with science
teachers in the schools, after school programs in housing complexes (where nearly 80
percent of the youth qualify for free and reduced lunches), to summer camps. Through
train the train, curriculum is being used at military bases where there are 4-H clubs,
Indian reservations (ND), STEM camps, and juvenile detention facilities as well. All
depends on the individuals and the locale in which they are working.
Additionally, a huge effort to disseminate the information to others is underway.
Presentations on the potential uses for this curriculum have been given or will be at
meetings such as National After-school Association Conference, the National Association
of Extension 4-H Agents and at the Galaxy III conference this fall. Television
interviews, newspaper articles and fliers are being disseminated across communities
about this effort.
In addition to the curriculum kits furnished with the training, two per institution, 35
additional kits have been ordered to date. This shows the continuing effort with the
previous three units. The breakdown is:
Light and Lighting – 5
Heat and Heating – 6
Science of Motion – 8
Chemical Energy – 14
Science of Energy – 22
Budget and outcomes will be reported at the end of the Fiscal Year.
Attachment #1.
Go to: http://www.uaf.edu/ces/faculty/seifert
Attachment #2.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
AND
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE
TITLE: Intergovernmental Energy Information Exchange
This MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING is hereby made and entered into by and
between the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) and the Oregon State University
Extension Service (OSUES).
A. PURPOSE:
Our shared purpose is to help Oregonians make decisions related to renewable energy
and energy conservation investments. This may include providing general or researchbased information. Both organizations serve rural and urban Oregon residents and there
are opportunities to work together to enhance this effort. In accomplishing this, we will
provide better service and information to customers; achieve more and better outcomes in
renewable energy, conservation, and sustainability; and use public resources more
efficiently and effectively.
B. STATEMENT OF MUTUAL BENEFIT AND INTERESTS:
Strive to coordinate our renewable energy and energy efficiency public information,
outreach and engagement efforts by sharing priorities and visions. Current examples
include conducting and sharing needs assessment information, analysis of questions and
inquiries received, and communication about access to incentive programs related to
renewable energy and energy conservation.
Facilitate communication between ODOE, OSUES and others through systematic
mechanisms such as discussions at meetings, conferences, workshops, periodic updates,
etc. An example is OSUES facilitating an energy workforce training conference,
bringing together high school vocational programs, community colleges and higher
education.
Recognize the many valuable existing project partnerships between ODOE and OSUES,
and promote the creation of new project partnerships.
C. THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SHALL:
Provide OSUES access to ODOE generated information; any customer needs assessment
information and priorities as defined by ODOE. In addition, provide a summary and
analysis of questions and inquiries received. Share renewable energy and energy
efficiency educational materials and work with OSUES to update and create materials as
needed.
ODOE will brief OSUES on current renewable energy and energy efficiency incentive
programs available to residents, and assistance available to communities.
D. THE OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE SHALL:
Provide ODOE scientifically generated information and technology and needs assessment
information. Ensure to the extent possible that Extension faculty interpret, utilize, and
disseminate research and ODOE information as appropriate for conducting Extension
educational programs for diverse audiences. In doing so, OSUES will be increasing
ODOE outreach capacity. Sources of information will be acknowledged by users.
E. IT IS MUTUALLY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED BY AND BETWEEN THE
PARTIES THAT:
1. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA). Any information furnished to
the ODOE under this instrument is subject to the Freedom of Information Act (5
U.S.C. 552). ODOE provides information subject to the Oregon Public Records
Law.
2. PARTICIPATION IN SIMILAR ACTIVITIES. This instrument in no way
restricts the ODOE or OSUES from participating in similar activities with other
public or private agencies, organizations, and individuals.
3. COMMENCEMENT/EXPIRATION/TERMINATION. This MOU takes effect
upon the signature of the ODOE and OSUES and shall remain in effect until
July 1, 2012. This MOU may be extended or amended upon written request of
either the ODOE or the OSUES and the subsequent written concurrence of the
other(s). Either the ODOE or the OSUES may terminate this MOU with a 60-day
written notice to the other(s).
4. MODIFICATION. Modifications within the scope of the instrument shall be
made by mutual consent of the parties, by the issuance of a written modification,
signed and dated by all parties, prior to any changes being performed.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTIES. The ODOE and the OSUES and their
respective offices will handle their own activities and utilize their own resources,
including the expenditure of their own funds, in pursuing these objectives. Each
party will carry out its separate activities in a coordinated and mutually beneficial
manner.
6. PRINCIPAL CONTACTS. The principal contacts for this instrument are:
a. OREGON DEPARMENT OF ENERGY ADMINISTRATIVE
CONTACT:
ODOE Contact:
Michael Grainey
ODOE Organization:
ODOE Director
Street Address:
625 Marion Street NE
City, State & Zip:
Salem, OR 97301-3737
Telephone:
503-378-5489
Fax:
503-373-7806
Email:
Michael.W.Grainey@state.or.us
b. OREGON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TECHNICAL
REPRESENTATIVE:
ODOE Contact:
Diana Enright
ODOE Organization:
Renewable Energy/ Public Information
Street Address:
625 Marion St. NE
City, State & Zip:
Salem, OR 97301-3737
Telephone:
503-378-8278
Fax:
503-373-7806
Email:
diana.enright@state.or.us
c.
OSU EXTENSION SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT:
Principal Investigator:
A. Scott Reed
Department/Unit:
Extension Service Administration
Organization Name:
Oregon State University
Street Address/PO Box:
101 Ballard Extension Hall
City, State & Zip:
Corvallis, OR 97331-3606
Telephone:
541-737-2713
Fax:
541-737-4423
Email:
Scott.reed@oregonstate.edu
d.
OSU EXTENSION SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT:
Project Coordinator:
Department/Unit:
Organization Name:
Street Address/PO Box:
City, State & Zip:
Telephone:
Fax:
Email:
Lyla Houglum
Extension Service Administration
Oregon State University
125-B Ballard Extension Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331-3606
541-737-9920
541-737-4423
Lyla.houglum@oregonstate.edu
e. OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT:
Name, Title:
Tamara Bronson
Department/Unit:
Procurement and Contracting
Organization Name:
Oregon State University
Street Address/PO Box:
644 SW 13th St.
City, State & Zip:
Corvallis, OR 97333-4238
Telephone:
541-737-6994
Fax:
541-737-4261
Email:
Tamara.bronson@oregonstate.edu
7. NON-FUND OBLIGATING DOCUMENT. Nothing in this MOU shall obligate
either the ODOE or the OSUES to obligate or transfer any funds. Specific work
projects or activities that involve the transfer of funds, services, or property
among the various agencies and offices of the ODOE and the OSUES will require
execution of separate agreements and be contingent upon the availability of
appropriated funds. Such activities must be independently authorized by
appropriate statutory authority. This MOU does not provide such authority.
Negotiation, execution, and administration of each such agreement must comply
with all applicable statutes and regulations.
8. ESTABLISHMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY. This MOU is not intended to, and
does not create, any right, benefit, or trust responsibility, substantive or
procedural, enforceable of law or equity, by a party against the United States, its
agencies, its officers, or any person.
9. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES. By signature below, the cooperator
certifies that the individuals listed in this document as representatives of the
cooperator are authorized to act in their respective areas for matters related to this
agreement.
THE PARTIES HERETO have executed this instrument.
___________________________________
Michael W. Grainey
Director
Oregon Department of Energy
___________________
Date
___________________________________
Diana Enright
Assistant Director Renewable Energy Public Information
Oregon Department of Energy
___________________
Date
___________________________________
A. Scott Reed
Vice Provost, University Outreach & Engagement
Director, OSU Extension Service
___________________
Date
___________________________________
Lyla Houglum
Director of Special Initiatives
OSU Extension Service
___________________
Date
___________________________________
Tamara Bronson
Oregon State University
Contracts Officer
___________________
Date