FINAL REPORT
PNW Extension Energy Initiative
July-September, 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 the energy extension specialists, Lyla Houglum and
Mike Harrington to coordinate, finalize and deploy the state surveys. The survey instrument included
a standard set of questions as well as state-specific questions. The intent of the survey was to obtain
information on the experience of Extension professionals in each state in terms of what energy related
questions are being received; current Extension activity in relation to energy; what resources
Extension staff and faculty already know about and use, and what additional resources might be
useful. After pilot testing, the surveys were deployed to extension staff in each state using
Zoomerang.
Survey Results Overview: There were 176 responses to the survey proving a good mixture of
feedback a relative to a variety of EERE topics. All survey results are appended below.
There is clearly a great interest in renewable energy issues and perceived role for Cooperative
Extension. While there is some variation in priority on interest, the topics that the public are most
frequently looking to answers are related to biofuels/bioenergy and energy efficiency and
conservation in the home and on the ranch.
Two mechanisms for information support elicited the strongest interest: web sites and phone numbers
and referral information for clientele use. Fortunately, this project has a plan to provide the latter. The
former might be another approach to consider for further development; however one important goal
may be to promote existing services as none appeared to be widely known.
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:


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Participation in the Tanana Valley state fair, an important outreach and extension effort, and
it reinforces the identify of Alaska Cooperative Extension as a credible and best resource for
housing and energy information resource. An information booth was manned continuously
for nine days in August.
Contributed to the Alaskan Solar Homes Tour, which is a collaboration with the American
Solar Energy Society. AK Cooperative Extension is full partner with the Cold Climate
Housing Research Center (CCHRC) which is the only Alaskan location where a solar homes
tour will occur. Interested people will tour eight different homes and properties with varying
solar energy applications ranging from fully off-grid homes to solar photovoltaic systems
feeding the grid, and even one wind system.
Entered into a cooperative agreement and shared proposal with the Washington State
University Energy Extension Service to be a part of their major expansion to become a US
Department of Energy Building Technologies Applications Center (this also was a
collaboration with the Cold Climate Housing Research Center and we have great confidence
1
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

that this proposal will be successful and that work will expand our capabilities greatly in our
energy extension work. The decision should be known on the proposal during the week of
October 1, 2007.
With the CCHRC developed a proposal to US-EPA to develop and execute a plan to provide
a full service energy audit and retrofit of existing housing through our Extension system here
in Alaska and in collaboration with our State Housing Finance System. The proposal
addresses what is thought to be the most crucial need for improving Alaska's preparedness for
accelerating energy costs and future fuel availability: the retrofit of our housing stock.
Unfortunately there is no organized way to deal with this difficult but important need at this
time.
Daily inquiries include CCHRC tours, calls from clients on everything from mold to vapor
barrier integrity, and our schedule of normal educational workshops on Cold and Marine
Climate Homebuilding techniques (these are typically 7-hour courses given around the state
during the winter season, beginning this month). Teaching manuals have been revised and
updated with new material in the "Walls" chapter, and have revised and included in the latest
manual version several new versions of our extension publications relating to housing
construction details.
Deployed the state energy survey to both Extension staff and partner agencies.
Other efforts continue to update and improve Alaska’s Energy Web Portal,
www.akenergy.net.
Oregon: Oregon continues to utilize its renewable energy group to coordinate efforts. Members of
the group meet with a variety of potential end user groups including county officials, commodity
groups, and interested individuals. A collaboration MOU was developed with the Oregon
Department of Energy (ODOE). Evidence of success of the project are taken from new cases
requesting EERE information. Examples include:
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



Office of Sustainable Development: An energy specialist asked about switching the current
street lighting technology in their city after being approached by an energy service company
about a product they are promoting.
Briggs Hill Orchids: A commercial greenhouse needs to find a more efficient heating
system; possibly geothermal heat pumps might be a solution.
City of Eugene Water and Electric Board: Client’s customer needs help with BAC cooling
towers that are difficult and expensive to maintain. Requested help in installing and using
VFD technology with project as well as motor selection.
City of Newberg: Client is interested in using renewable energy at the Wastewater Treatment
plant to improve the energy efficiency of the city’s compost facility and reduce costs.
McMinnville Water and Light: Client read "Principles of Heat Transfer" on the EnergyIdeas
Clearinghouse website and found it very informative and helpful.
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 assisted with organizing Harvesting Clean Energy
Conference; met with biodiesel faculty; met with industry representatives (biodiesel, ethanol, and
conventional petroleum); met with the four state EERE team, prepared and executed the EERE
survey; answered questions from state and county faculty. Examples of other activities include:



Participation in the NC Idaho Renewable Energy working group,
Providing input and review of "Biofuels 101" manuscript, a primer on biofuels, for rural
communities and farmers.
Participation on a renewable energy and global warming committee formed in Sandpoint, ID
to analyze government buildings for use of renewable energy sources and involving other
issues around climate change, renewable energy, and environmental issues.
2


Providing information to the Idaho Grazing Association regarding solar powered pumps for
stock waterers.
Providing information about the program to the city council of the City of Arco, A local
newspaper article included description of the presentation to city council.
Washington: The WSU Energy Extension Program continues to provide information via the web
including the development a weekly electronic newsletter “Energy Newsbriefs” to the participating
states which provides links to resources, recent news and emerging issues. The Information Center is
tracking 30 new cases (see below) and the energy extension specialist made a number of new contacts
with interested stakeholders. In addition Jake Fey, Director of the Information Center, made a
presentation the PNW Extension Energy Initiative to the REE Undersecretary of the US Department
of Agriculture.
New Cases:
ClearinghouseNASULGC
Topic
EERE
NASULGC-funded
Architecture - Design/Build
EERE
NASULGC-funded
Biomass - Methane Digestion
EERE
NASULGC-funded
Biomass - Methane Digestion
EERE
NASULGC-funded
Economics - Feasibility/Cost Analysis
NEEA
NASULGC-funded (Utility)
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
Leveraged with another funder
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
NASULGC-funded
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
Leveraged with another funder
NASULGC-funded
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
NASULGC-funded
NASULGC-funded
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
EERE
NASULGC-funded
Biomass - (General/Other)
NEEA
NASULGC-funded
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
NASULGC-funded (Utility)
Power Production - Cogeneration
NEEA
NEEA
NEEA
EERE
NEEA
NEEA
NEEA
NEEA
NEEA
NEEA
NEEA
NEEA
LIBR
NEEA
NEEA
NEEA
NEEA
NEEA
State
Lighting - Fluorescent Lamps
Bustype
Research/Ed (Univ or
Lab)
Research/Ed (Univ or
Lab)
Research/Ed (Univ or
Lab)
Research/Ed (Univ or
Lab)
Utility
HVAC - Heat Pumps
Utility
OR
Energy Use - End Use
Utility
WA
EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse - Utility PTR Utility
WA
Energy Use - (General/Other)
Consulting Firm
WA
Energy Use - End Use
Utility
WA
EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse - Utility PTR Utility
WA
Utility - Demand Side Management
Utility
WA
HVAC - Cooling Systems
Environment - Lamps
Government
Organization
WA
WA
HVAC - Heat Pumps
Utility
WA
Energy Use - Building Type
Utility
WA
Agriculture - (General/Other)
Education - (General/Other)
Inventor
WSU/EEP Staff
WA
WA
Codes/Standard/Laws - (General/Other)
Utility
WA
Pumping Systems - (General/Other)
Utility
WA
HVAC - Heat Pumps
Utility
WA
AK
AK
AK
AK
OR
Research/Ed (Univ or
Lab)
Consulting Firm
WA
WA
EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse - Utility PTR Utility
WA
Codes/Standard/Laws - EPACT
WA
Utility
3
NEEA
NEEA
EERE
NEEA
NEEA
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
Leveraged with another funder
NASULGC-funded
Leveraged with another funder
(Utility)
Energy Use - Residential Calculation
Utility
WA
Water Heating - Demand Water Heaters
Utility
WA
Hydrogen - (General/Other)
Renewable Resources - (General/Other)
Water/wastewater
Utility
WA
WA
Building Envelopes - Windows/Glazing
Utility
WA
Overall Assessment
The project has resulted in increased awareness of EERE information and the need to become more
aware of energy issues. As predicted earlier, the project has taken some time to mature; that is for
interested stakeholders to seek additional assistance particularly from the EERE Information Center.
There was an increased number of “hits” in the Center as reflected above. The results of the state
surveys are providing new information about the needs expressed by the general public in each state.
Analyses of these data will facilitate the development of focused programming and informational
resources. There are new partnerships with state and local agencies as well as the implementation of
new energy information resources that are made available through electronic means and in print.
Matching Contributions
AK
ID
OR
WA-Energy Center
H. M. Harrington
Total
7,922.39
4,220.79
6,364.00
4,404.03
1,000.00
$23911.21
4
Pacific Northwest Energy Extension Program’s Survey for the State of Alaska
The following are the salient observations we’ve gleaned in our first intensive look at the
results of our Statewide Energy Survey to evaluate an expanded role for Energy Extension
Outreach.
Interest in Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy:
In Alaska there’s very high interest in renewables with 43% of respondents stating very high
interest and 17% with a high interest. 60% of respondents indicate a high or very high
interest in RE, but 39%, nearly as many, responded to question 1 that they had a moderate
interest in renewables. The 39% who stated a moderate level of interest to question 1 is
surprising, but it’s possible that these 39% saw more of a need for conservation instead of
new RE production. Three respondents (13%) indicated a higher interest in Energy
Efficiency than in Renewable Energy. 66% of the people who indicated a “moderate”
interest in EE in question 2 also have a moderate interest in RE in question 1. The sum of
people who indicated a high or very high interest level in EE in question 2 is 56%, vs. 60%
for RE. Based on these results, we would conclude that the interest in Renewables is very
slightly higher than in energy efficiency, and that those who did not see much interest in
either RE or EE had a generally negative opinion on the interest in both RE and EE.
With only one response of “low” or below to either question 1 or 2, 96% of respondents saw
a moderate to very high interest in EERE. Also, the majority of the ratings for higher levels
of interest in RE over EE were from people who recognized a greater than moderate level of
interest in EERE as denoted by “high” or “very high” responses to both questions. We
believe this indicates a mandate for the need for EERE work.
High to moderate interest is asserted in energy efficiency and conservation in question 2. The
vast majority of information requested, however, is in the area of energy efficiency and
conservation in homes (74%) in question 8, and 87% of respondents said they had received
requests for information on energy efficiency/conservation in their homes. Related directly
to this are the responses on energy costs and comparisons, question 7 (91% of respondents).
These responses reflect the same level of interest as efficiency and conservation, which is a
likely correlation.
RE Technology Inquiries
In questions 7 and 8, wind energy was the most popular form of RE, with 74% of
respondents receiving requests for information in the past year, and 39% of respondents
having wind as one of their top 3 requests for information. Solar PV was second in both cases
at 70% and 35% in questions 7 and 8, respectively. In question 7 Solar thermal was the third
most popular request, and in question 8, solar thermal was fifth, behind geothermal and
biomass/biofuels. This implies that wind, then PV are the RE technologies with the most
interest. It also alludes to the fact the solar thermal is the next most broadly known RE
technology, but frequency of requests is lower for solar thermal than for geothermal and
biofuels.
While the trends above specified the most popular forms of renewable energy interest,
climate change made a strong showing in both questions 7 and 8, even ahead of solar thermal
in question 8, and equal with biomass/biofuels. The biofuels issue is much less well known
and receives much less attention in Alaska, while climate concerns seem to be more common
than anticipated, probably due to the signs of climate change evident in Alaska.
Interest in EERE Resources and Energy Assistance
5
In question 10, the majority of respondents replied they were very interested in energy
related resources. Most respondents wanted phone numbers for referrals, indicating that
energy practitioners needed help in providing EERE assistance. Brochures and informational
websites were also a favorite of respondents, indicating we need to continue to work toward
better web and print information in the areas mentioned above, primarily the appropriate RE
technologies and building efficiency and energy costs and comparisons. This high degree of
interest in the resources we stipulated implies that we are on the right track in determining
the best information to be provided to energy practitioners in Alaska.
Perhaps the most supportive and compelling message of the survey for Alaska is the response
to question 9. 83% of respondents said: yes, an expanded role for an Energy Extension
outreach program would be of help in their work. This corresponds to question 10, where
people indicated a desire for informational materials, and implies a real need for energy
extension work and growth in this field.
Question 5 provides insight into who fulfills the current need for energy services (see figure
1, below). Cooperative Extension Service, with its single long-time Energy and Housing
Specialist, Rich Seifert, and recent energy-focused agent, Garrison Collette, was rated as
providing the greatest amount of assistance. This is interesting, since CES’ primary focus
has been energy efficiency, and the majority of people surveyed were RE practitioners.
There were a fairly large amount of CES respondents, but even so, we believe this result
indicates that even with a small amount of infrastructure, CES is more effective than any
other government entity at providing energy resources in Alaska. This implies that CES has
the correct model and connections for doing energy-related work in Alaska, and the
consensus seems to indicate a larger role would be appropriate for the CES energy program.
In question 11, we asked respondents to identify which energy-related resources they are
aware of and have either used or referred someone to that resource in the past year. We are
pleased to see that people are quite aware of Alaska’s Energy Web Portal,
www.akenergy.net. However, almost as many are aware of WSU’s energy program
clearinghouse, the EERE Web site.
Federal
Government
9
8
# of respondents
7
State
6
5
CES
4
3
2
Local Gov't
1
Local Gov't
CES
0
State
Don't Know
None
Very little
assistance
Level os Assistance
Federal Government
Some
Great deal
of
assistance
6
Figure 1: Graphical representation of question 5 on who is currently providing
energy services in Alaska.
More than half of the responses to the survey stated an interest in getting involved in energyrelated Extension work (52%). An additional 79% of respondents said they wanted to be
connected with Energy Extension activities in Alaska. And 74% were interested enough to
state an interest in summary results of the survey. We intend to use this summary as partially
fulfilling that interest. We also see these responses as further indicators that people see CES
energy services as relevant and vital to Alaska’s EERE needs.
Conclusion
With high interests in both energy efficiency and renewable energy, and a strongly positive
showing in getting involved and supporting energy extension work, we believe the time is
here for an expanded energy extension service in Alaska. The survey supports what we
already suspected; that energy assistance is needed in Alaska, and that efficiency, especially
in the home, is the primary concern. We also saw the interest in renewable energy as
deserving attention, and the prioritization of RE technologies indicate that wind, then PV,
should be part of CES’ repertoire of information services. The assessment of who provides
services currently tells us that people believe CES has addressed the proper subjects in
EERE, and that we currently have the best model available for providing energy services in
Alaska. We hope to expand this role to address RE more fully, expand our outreach base and
informational offerings, and continue to work on web resources as diligently as possible.
7
Survey Results: University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System
Background:
A survey was prepared by participants in a 4 State collaborative (Oregon, Washington, Idaho
& Alaska) to explore experience of Extension in each state in terms of what energy related
questions are coming in, current Extension activity in relation to energy, what resources
Extension staff and faculty already know about and use, and what additional resources might
be useful.
Results:
An invitation to reply to the Idaho survey was sent to county extension staff and faculty.
There were 38 responses.
A full summary of survey question and results is available. A more succinct summary
follows. (Note that respondents did not reply to all questions. Percentages are based on the
total number of replies to each question)

About one third felt there is a significant interest in both renewable energy and in energy
efficiency.
 Renewable: 29% (high:0%, very high:29%)
 Efficiency: 35% (high:3%, very high:32%)

Over half are already fielding questions on either subject.

The frequency of questions on either renewable energy and energy efficiency are fairly
similar, ranging by subject from:
 Several per week (0%)
 Several per month (2%.)
 One per month (16-21%)
 Fewer (but not zero) (45%).

When asked who currently provides assistance on energy related subjects in their
community, few felt any entity provided “a great deal of assistance”.
 (0% to 13% depending on the provider). Only Industry and Citizen Level
organizations such as Co-ops or NGOs were ranked at 13% and 5% respectively.

Depending on the provider, 8% to 37% felt “some assistance” is available from:
 Industry:37%
 Co-ops & non-profits:34%
 Cooperative Extension:26%
 Colleges and Universities:25%
 Local Government:24%
 State Government:22%
 Federal Government:21%
 Citizens themselves:8%
For each provider, the remainder felt little or no assistance is available or did not know
what was available.
8

Four respondents noted other sources of assistance:
 Newspapers, NPR, national TV, home improvement stores, Idaho Conservation
League
 Electric Power Generators/distributors
 Idaho Barley Commission
 Internet

The breakdown of topics for requests were:
(in order or frequency)
 Bioenergy/Biofuels (60%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation on the farm/ranch (43%)
 Wind energy (40%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation in the home (31%)
 Energy cost and comparisons (29%)
 Other Agriculture energy issues (20%)
 Solar photovoltaics (20%)
 Climate change (20%)
 Solar thermal (11%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation in transportation technology (11%)
 Micro hydro (9%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation in commercial buildings (6%)
 Fuels cells (6%)
 Wave energy (0%)
 Other (11%)

Two other topics were listed by respondents:
 Environmental issues surrounding nuclear power
 Siting of coal-fired plants

When asked for the top three topics:
One was dominant:
 Bioenergy/Biofuels/Biomass (49%)
Two more were strongly represented
 Energy efficiency/conservation in the home (30%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation on the farm/ranch (27%)

A majority felt an expanded role from an Extension Energy outreach program would be
of help in their work (63%)

A great majority were interested or very interested in almost all suggested resources
(in order of interest)
 Informational web sites 86% (interested 70%, very 16%)
 Phone numbers and referral information for clientele use 79% (interested 57%, very
22%)
 Brochures or other educational materials 70% (interested 62%, very 8%)
 In-service training/workshops 54% (interested 49%, very 5%)
 Power point slides and presentations 52% (interested 44% very 8%)
9
 Community/area energy needs assessment 51% (interested 43%, very 8%)
The remainder were neutral, not very interested, or not at all interested.

Following is a count of those reporting knowledge of particular energy related resources
(in order of number familiar)
 Idaho Department of Energy Resources: 20 (5 referred someone)
 WSU Energy Program Clearinghouse: 17 (2 referred someone)
 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Center: 15 (3 referred)
 US Department of Energy Best Practices website 9, (3 referred someone)
There were clearly problems with this question, respondents may or may not have
answered in a uniform manner (checking one, the other or both answers that applied) The
source data has not yet been analyzed to sort this out. Depending on the interpretation,
most or all resource were unknown to half the respondents.

Four listed other resources including:
 Idaho Power (3)
 Avista Utilities
 United Water Idaho
 Austinenergy.com (for home audit)
 Personal study through books and websites.

Five (14%) are interested in getting involved in Energy Extension work, 18 (49%) are not
sure, and 14 (38%) are not interested.

Twenty would like to stay connected with Extension energy programs/ activities.

Four would like an Energy Specialist to contact them to discuss potential energy educational programs, projects, and/or, opportunities.

Seven would like to discuss an energy project in their community with an Extension
Energy Specialist. Comments follow:
 I am interested in engery conservation for homes. I work with limited income people and they have questions
about energy costs and how to save money on utilities. Also, fuel prices are killing family budgets, so
anything on helping people keep costs down for transportation.






I may be in touch related to street light purchases by the City of Arco
Water resources
Biodigesters and its use to generate on farm energy for producer operations.
Programs specifically targeted to small acearge landowners and increasing energy efficiency for irrigation;
animal housing, greenhouses and passive solar systms will be of use. Can be used with our Living on the
Land Program for 2008.
Irrigated Oil Seed production potential
Wind power, we need to educate people, industry, and the government that it can produce electricity as
cheap as coal. We need incentives put in place so we can use this awesome resource more. Hydrogen
production from electrolysis for fuel cells that power an electric motor in cars, trucks, trains, planes, etc. We
need research done on how America and the world can transition to this fuel source in refueling, and car
production instead of oil. Solar power needs to be made more efficient. As it is only 10% of the light is utilized
in producing energy. This would be a good project for U of I's Engineering department. Currently solar is
considerably more expensive than oil sources for generating energy, we need to maintain low costs of
energy if our economy is to survive.
10

One other comment was made
 This is a hard survey to complete. I am interested and know there is a growing need. To program in this area
I would need to let other work go.
Conclusions:
There is clearly a great interest in energy issues and perceived role for Extension. The most
frequently asked questions of Cooperative Extension are related to biofuels/bioenergy and
energy efficiency/conservation in the home and on the ranch. Two mechanisms for support
elicited the strongest interest: informational web sites and phone numbers and referral
information for clientele use. Fortunately, this project is already set to provide the latter. The
former might be another approach to consider developing. It is evident that one important
goal could be to help promote existing services available through various entities as none
were well know. The proposed next step for this project will be to follow-up with survey
respondents that requested such.
The Idaho survey results and conclusions follow closely with Oregon and Washington survey
results. A continuation of our joint approach to energy education through Extension is
recommended.
11
Survey Results: Oregon State University Extension Service
Background:
A survey was prepared by participants in a 4 State collaborative (Oregon, Washington, Idaho
& Alaska) to explore experience of Extension in each state in terms of what energy related
questions are coming in, current Extension activity in relation to energy, what resources
Extension staff and faculty already know about and use, and what additional resources might
be useful.
Results:
An invitation to reply to the Oregon survey was sent to county extension staff and faculty.
There were 49 responses.
A full summary of survey question and results is available. A more succinct summary
follows. (Note that respondents did not reply to all questions. Percentages are based on the
total number of replies to each question)

A near majority felt there is a significant interest in both renewable energy and in energy
efficiency.
 Renewable: 57% (high:39%, very high:18%)
 Efficiency: 49% (high:41%, very high:8%)

Over three quarters are already fielding questions on either subject.

The frequency of questions on either renewable energy and energy efficiency are fairly
similar, ranging by subject from:
 Several per week (2%)
 Several per month (12% to 18%.)
 One per month (16% to12%)
 Fewer (but not zero) (47% to 24%).

When asked who currently provides assistance on energy related subjects in their
community, few felt any entity provided “a great deal of assistance”.
 (0% to 6% depending on the provider)

Depending on the provider, 15% to 50% felt “some assistance” is available from:
 Industry:50%
 State Government:39%
 Co-ops & non-profits:38%
 Cooperative Extension:33%
 Citizens, Local Government:23%
 Federal, Colleges and Universities:15%

For each provider, the remainder felt little or no assistance is available or did not know
what was available.
Eight respondents noted other sources of assistance including
 Local electric providers (3 respondents)
(Note that public utilities could also have been listed under Co-ops & non-profits)
12
 Portland Office of Sustainable Development
(This is really another instance of local government)
 Wave energy resources:
- Fishermen involved in Natural Energy committee
- Newport Energy Team
- People of Oregon for Wave Energy
- Oregon Wave Energy Trust
- Oregon Solutions..
 Atonement Lutheran Church
 Subscriptions to Audobon, Sierra Club, that type of "green group"

The breakdown of topics for requests were:
(in order or frequency)
 Bioenergy/Biofuels (64%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation in the home (39%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation on the farm/ranch (39%)
 Climate change (36%)
 Wind energy (34%)
 Solar photovoltaics (27%)
 Energy cost and comparisons (23%)
 Other Agriculture energy issues (20%)
 Wave energy (14%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation in commercial buildings (11%)
 Energy efficiency/ in transportation technology (11%)
 conservation Solar thermal (11%)
 Micro hydro (5%)
 Fuels cells (5%)
 Other (9%)

Another topic listed by one respondent :
 K-12 Energy conservation education & activities

When asked for the top three topics:
One was dominant:
 Bioenergy/Biofuels/Biomass (47%)
Two more were strongly represented
 Energy efficiency/conservation in the home (28%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation on the farm/ranch (26%)

A great majority felt an expanded role from an Extension Energy outreach program
would be of help in their work (86%)

A majority were interested or very interested in almost all suggested resources
(in order of interest)
 Informational web sites 83% (interested 58%, very 25%)
 Phone numbers and referral information for clientele use 81% (interested 52%, very
29%)
13




Brochures or other educational materials 69% (interested 52%, very 17%)
Community/area energy needs assessment 57% (interested 40%, very 17%)
In-service training/workshops 50% (interested 43%, very 7%)
Power point slides and presentations 47% (interested 40% very 7%)
The remainder were neutral, not very interested, or not at all interested.

Following is a count of those reporting knowledge of particular energy related resources
(in order of number familiar)
 Oregon Department of Energy Tax Credits and Loans 18, (23 referred someone)
 Local energy utility incentives for energy efficiency 15, (16 referred someone)
 Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance 12 , (3 referred someone)
 WSU Energy Program Clearinghouse 11, (7 referred someone)
 US Department of Energy Best Practices website 11, (4 referred someone)
 The Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc 11, (3 referred someone)
 Energy Ideas Clearing House 6, (1 referred someone)
There were clearly problems with this question, respondents may or may not have
answered in a uniform manner (checking one, the other or both answers that applied) The
source data has not yet been analyzed to sort this out. Depending on the interpretation,
most or all resource were unknown to more than half the respondents.

Some listed other resources including:
 Peak oil websites
 Oregon Forestry Education Program, Project Learning Tree with OSU College of
Foresty-Energy & Society activity guide (k-8 grade)
 Local energy consultant, county planning office, developers
 Local sustainability workshops
 Atonement Lutheran church workshops
 Efficiency Services LLC
 Energy Star Appliances at retail stores

Fifteen (31%) are interested in getting involved in Energy Extension work, 17 (35%) are
not sure, and 17 (35%) are not interested.

Twenty seven would like to stay connected with Extension energy programs/ activities.

Thirteen would like an Energy Specialist to contact them to discuss potential energy educational programs, projects, and/or, opportunities.

Fourteen would like to discuss an energy project in their community with an Extension
Energy Specialist. Comments follow:
 Biofuels & biomass potential and options (2).
 Biodiesel (fish waste, algal production, small scale restaurant), and other viable
options in Lincoln CO.
 Biomass to Heat - Industrial Building
14
 Energy conservation in homes (cost savings). Combining indoor air quality
management and energy conservation.
 Solar and/or wind for irrigation pumps.
 Low-head hydro for irrigation pumps.
 I think (if) there is any opportunity to work with businesses and homeowners about
energy management. This should be in cooperation with local PUDs
 Van pooling, current state of solar house, development of wool-based insulation as is
manufactured in NZ and Australia.
 Open to engaging after-school high school youth in a local energy-related project
that is compatible with best practices natural resources management
 I have curriculum from DOE that I was trained on and I think it might be a good
partnership
 Energy cost assistance for low/limited income families
 I work in the area of home horticulture so a topic related to that area. Irrigation of
lawns or gardens.
 I would just like to learn more about this project, who the energy specialists are, and
how they will or will not fit into what I am already doing with wave energy.
Essentially, I would like to make sure that they understand what the Extension and
Oregon Sea Grant role already is in wave energy and to make sure we are all on the
same page.

Two other comments were made
 There is real interest in energy conservation but there is no real program here to
provide that information. Home owners would like to have energy audits but no one
does this.
 (Your survey does not consider) Machinery fuel use
Conclusions:
There is clearly a great interest in energy issues and perceived role for Cooperative
Extension. The subjects that the public are most frequently looking to answers from
Cooperative Extension are related to biofuels/bioenergy and energy efficiency/conservation
in the home and on the ranch. Two mechanisms for support elicited the strongest interest:
informational web sites and phone numbers and referral information for clientele use.
Fortunately, this project is already set to provide the latter. The former might be another
approach to consider developing. It is evident that one important goal could be to help
promote existing services available through various entities as none were well know. The
proposed next step for this project will be to follow-up with survey respondents that
requested such.
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Survey Results: Washington State University Extension Service
Background:
A survey was prepared by participants in a 4 State collaborative (Oregon, Washington, Idaho
& Alaska) to explore experience of Extension in each state in terms of what energy related
questions are coming in, current Extension activity in relation to energy, what resources
Extension staff and faculty already know about and use, and what additional resources might
be useful.
Results:
An invitation to reply to the Washington survey was sent to county extension staff and
faculty. There were 55 responses.
A full summary of survey question and results is available. A more succinct summary
follows. (Note that respondents did not reply to all questions. Percentages are based on the
total number of replies to each question)

A majority felt there is a significant interest in both renewable energy and in energy
efficiency.
 Renewable: 53% (high:31%, very high:22%)
 Efficiency: 53% (high:33%, very high:20%)

Nearly three quarters are already fielding questions on either subject.

The frequency of questions on either renewable energy and energy efficiency are fairly
similar, ranging by subject from:
 Several per week (5%)
 Several per month (15%.)
 One per month (22%)
 Fewer (but not zero) (26% to 35%).

When asked who currently provides assistance on energy related subjects in their
community, few felt any entity provided “a great deal of assistance”.
 (2% to 8% depending on the provider). Only Extension and Local /County
government were ranked at 10% and 14% respectively.

Depending on the provider, 20% to 46% felt “some assistance” is available from:
 Co-ops & non-profits:46%
 Cooperative Extension:40%
 State Government:39%
 Colleges and Universities:33%
 Industry:33%
 Local Government:29%
 Federal Government:24%
 Citizens themselves:20%

For each provider, the remainder felt little or no assistance is available or did not know
what was available.
Twelve respondents noted local electric providers as another source of assistance.
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
The breakdown of topics for requests were:
(in order or frequency)
 Bioenergy/Biofuels (68%)
 Climate change (51%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation on the farm/ranch (32%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation in the home (30%)
 Wind energy (30%)
 Solar photovoltaics (30%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation in transportation technology (28%)
 Energy cost and comparisons (21%)
 Other Agriculture energy issues (17%)
 Solar thermal (11%)
 Micro hydro (11%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation in commercial buildings (9%)
 Fuels cells (9%)
 Wave energy (6%)
 Other (17%)

Four other topic listed by respondents:
 Anaerobic Digestion
 Training to do energy audits
 Energy impacts related to food
 Woody biomass conversion

When asked for the top three topics:
One was dominant:
 Bioenergy/Biofuels/Biomass (46%)
Two more were strongly represented
 Energy efficiency/conservation in the home (23%)
 Energy efficiency/conservation on the farm/ranch (15%)

A great majority felt an expanded role from an Extension Energy outreach program
would be of help in their work (77%)

A majority were interested or very interested in almost all suggested resources
(in order of interest)
 Informational web sites 79% (interested 35%, very 44%)
 Phone numbers and referral information for clientele use 76% (interested 39%, very
37%)
 Brochures or other educational materials 65% (interested 41%, very 24%)
 Community/area energy needs assessment 55% (interested 36%, very 19%)
 Power point slides and presentations 51% (interested 38% very 13%)
 In-service training/workshops 49% (interested 28%, very 21%)
The remainder were neutral, not very interested, or not at all interested.
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
Following is a count of those reporting knowledge of particular energy related resources
(in order of number familiar)
 WSU Energy Program Clearinghouse: 21, (13 referred someone)
 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Center: 15 (7 referred)
 US Department of Energy Best Practices website 14, (4 referred someone)
There were clearly problems with this question, respondents may or may not have
answered in a uniform manner (checking one, the other or both answers that applied) The
source data has not yet been analyzed to sort this out. Depending on the interpretation,
most or all resource were unknown to more than half the respondents.

Some listed other resources including:
 Energy Ideas Clearinghouse (www.energyideas.org)
 Western Area Power Administration (WAPA)
 Local PUD (4)
 WA Department of Ecology
 Local non-profits
 WSU Extension Energy people
 Ralph Cavalieri’s office

Twelve (22%) are interested in getting involved in Energy Extension work, 24 (44%) are
not sure, and 18 (33%) are not interested.

Twenty eight would like to stay connected with Extension energy programs/ activities.

Thirteen would like an Energy Specialist to contact them to discuss potential energy educational programs, projects, and/or, opportunities.

Nine would like to discuss an energy project in their community with an Extension
Energy Specialist. Comments follow:
 Biofuels & biomass potential and options (3).
 Benefits of energy conservation in family residences.
 Conservation and alternatives for small farms.
 Not enough agent time to cover this topic.
 Solar use and net metering or agricultural irrigation power users.
 Kitsap SEED (Sustainable Energy & Economic Development).

Two other comments were made
 Not enough agent time to cover this topic.
 We recognize this is an important issue. In our county, Thurston, since the Energy
office is right here, it is hard for us to seel the idea that county government other
partners need to access services online or at a 1-800 number.. For this to work here,
we need Energy staff to be out in the field with us.
Conclusions:
There is clearly a great interest in energy issues and perceived role for Extension. The
subjects that the public are most frequently looking to answers from Cooperative Extension
are related to biofuels/bioenergy and energy efficiency/conservation in the home and on the
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ranch. Two mechanisms for support elicited the strongest interest: informational web sites
and phone numbers and referral information for clientele use. Fortunately, this project is
already set to provide the latter. The former might be another approach to consider
developing. It is evident that one important goal could be to help promote existing services
available through various entities as none were well know. The proposed next step for this
project will be to follow-up with survey respondents that requested such.
The Washington survey results and conclusions follow very closely with Oregon and Idaho
survey results. A continuation of our joint approach to energy education through Extension is
recommended.
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