PNW Extension Energy Initiative
October 1 – December 31, 2007
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
A number of conference calls were held between Lyla Houglum and Mike Harrington to coordinate
state activities, particularly the activities of the state energy specialists.
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
including fielding more than 100 calls on various topics related to energy, housing, etc.
Specific activities include:

During October, the state energy extension specialists played significant roles in
organizing and conducting the Sustainable Northern Shelter conference held at the
Cold Climate Housing Research Center. Roles included service as session chair and
summative reporter for this conference.

Developed an excellent article in our ABSN Newsletter based on the presentation (at
the above conference) by Mr. James Lee, the director of our Weatherization program.

Developed a retrofit Weatherization course for homeowners.

Conducted a Cold Climate Homebuilding course in Palmer, Anchorage and Fairbanks
attended by over 100 Alaskans.

Two new projects were initiated that may affect long-term change in the Alaskan
energy situation: 1). the first operating biofuels plant in Alaska where members can
purchase cheaper fuel and 2.) Solar thermal and a train-the-trainers approach that
could grow to encompass heat pumps.

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.
Oregon
Participants in Oregon continue to inform state officials, county commissioners, school districts, and
community, county liaisons and general citizens about EERE topics. The Extension Energy
Specialist has completed additional analysis on the results of the state survey. Based on results from
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a survey of county extension staff, a key area of interest in Oregon is support for efficiency on the
farm and ranch. OSU is working to develop a farm assessment program modeled after the U.S.DOE
Industrial Assessment Center program. It is our conviction that this will provide an ideal laboratory to
collect a knowledge base of energy efficiency opportunities to look for on the farm. This grant will
cover the faculty FTE for a pilot program and efforts are underway to find seed money for student
participation. One potential partner includes Organically Grown, a major distributor of organic
produce in the Northwest. They have an interest in facilitating support of their farms. The current
vision is to set up pilot visits to local farms by a team of students and a faculty member to scope out
potential opportunities and develop simple methodologies to evaluate and quantify them. Once
established, the long term effort would likely be based on visits to farms by pairs of experienced
students. As a toolbox of common opportunities and methods for identification and quantification is
developed, the intent will be to share them in a web based form, perhaps using WIKI technology for
development, in order to allow for more replication and reach from this effort.
Other specific examples include:

A series of meetings was held with the Director and Associate Director of Oregon
Department of Energy (ODOE) to develop an MOU and discuss areas in which collaborations
might occurs, including sharing expertise and resources; Agreed to discuss developing joint
funding package with ODOE for the next legislative session;

Worked with College of Engineering to create a faculty position funded by ODOE

Participated in grand opening of PGE wind power facility, met with program manager and
assisted the tour options.

Answered nine requests for information about wind power, lease options, paybacks, pitfalls;
one person made changes in land lease he was considering.

Met with DEQ (Clean Air Partnership partner) to plan and direct work; including developing
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 Clean Fleets Excellence Recognition Program.

A number of fleet managers (20) have been contacts with information of the above program.
Three have made requests for information related to emissions control retrofits and grant
funding for installation of this equipment.
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.
The Extension specialist (jointly employed by Idaho and Washington) continued to provide follow
up/answers to respondents to the earlier state EERE Survey and with other interested Extension staff;
attended training sessions on biofuels; attended organizational meetings on biofuels; and participated
in EERE team communications. A follow-up survey was conducted with Idaho Extension leadership
to confirm that an EERE/biofuels in-service was indeed desired. A 100% positive response rate led to
planning several regional workshops in early 2008. Also promoted biofuels and other energy events
to the extension faculty (and general public) to promote awareness in the EERE arena.
Examples of other activities include:
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
Presentations on PNW Energy Extension Project to ID Extension Advisory Board and
discussion with the Western Extension Directors Association on the PNW Energy Project.

Worked on proposal to USDA that, if funded, would support outreach on renewable energy.

Coordinated and attended a community-wide meeting on climate change held in October
Sand Point, ID. Participants made a commitment to do at least one thing to reduce their use
of carbon based fuels, including car pooling, using low-energy consumption light bulbs
(House Representative Eric Anderson handed out over 100 of the light bulbs), walk more, etc.
The group divided into sections and came up with suggestions for the city council and mayor
for ways Sandpoint, ID could conserve.
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. The newsletter provides links to resources, recent news and emerging issues. The Information
Center is tracking 18 new cases or inquiries for additional information resulting from this project.
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; attended training
sessions on biofuels; attended organizational meetings on biofuels; and participated in EERE team
communications.
Matching Contributions
AK
ID
OR
WA-Energy Center
H. M. Harrington
Total
not reported
5,124.03
24,335.40
4,122.64
700.00
34,282.07
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