Public Process Engagement

Public Process Engagement

Reduce reliance on personal vehicles by making it easier for people to walk, bike, and use public transportation. Reduce fossil fuels and improve air quality. Engage in public processes and help identify the impacts of policies on Energy Plan goals. Engagement priorities will be evaluated yearly. In 2022, priorities include Safe Routes to School and Heights Streetscape Plan, Columbia Area Transit Master Plan, & The Gorge Regional Transit Strategy.

Non-residential charging station site assessments

Non-residential charging station site assessments

Understanding the cost of charging stations is the first step in transitioning to electric vehicles. This project encourages organizations in Pacific Power territory to take advantage of free evaluations for charging station assessments.This program can help non-residential Pacific Power customers evaluate vehicle options, charging systems, electric rates, and benefits from Clean Fuels Credits.

Learn more about this program here, and reach out to lindsay@mcedd.org with questions for the Energy Council.

Hood River County School District Explores Electric School Buses

Hood River County School District Explores Electric School Buses

The Energy Council supported a proposal, led by New Buildings Institute, for a project that looks to use electric school buses and other electric fleet vehicles (to be leased as part of the project), as battery backup to power a solar+storage microgrid at Wy’east Middle School during long-term power outages. The goal is to create a pilot program that can act as a nationally replicable model for use of vehicle-to-building technology in resiliency situations.

The proposal was submitted to the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Awards are expected to be announced in February or March of 2023.  

Learn more about this proposal and the project partners by reading the article below, from the November 16, 2022, issue of the Columbia Gorge News. 

 “District Explores Electric Buses”