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City tour 'pioneers' program
By Vickie Aldous
The City of Ashland is kicking off national Energy Awareness Month with a tour of solar sites throughout the community and promotion of its Renewable Pioneers program, which allows residents and businesses to support green power. The daylong solar tour begins 9 a.m. Saturday at the Wilderness Charter School, 60 Morse St., and includes stops at solar-powered public buildings and private homes. The tour is sponsored by the city, the nonprofit Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Southern Oregon-based Home Power Magazine, and is open to anyone interested in learning more about solar power. "They can talk face to face with homeowners who have invested time and money to see if solar fits into their lifestyles and their homes," said Joe Schwartz, chief executive officer and technical editor of Home Power Magazine. "This will make it easier for people to comprehend what they can do in their homes and businesses. It's all feasible stuff." Home solar electric systems will pay for themselves in 12 to 24 years, while solar water heaters pay for themselves in just three to five years when residents take advantage of city rebates, he said. Ashland resident Andy Kerr, who will open up his home to visitors during the tour, has made the investment in both a solar electric system and solar water heater. "The capital costs of solar and wind systems are going down and becoming more competitive with making electricity from coal or gas," Kerr said. "People with a south-facing roof who don't have a solar water heater are behind the times. People who have a solar electric system are a little ahead of the times." During most months, his solar system produces more electricity than the home uses, and he sells the excess back to the city utility. Kerr said most people already are using solar power - just not in the right form. "All energy originally comes from the sun. We have a bad habit of using solar energy that's several million years old and tied up in fossil fuels. Burning those causes global climate change. It's not good for anybody," he said. "We need to move toward renewable, sustainable energy." Even people who don't make the investment in solar systems for their homes or businesses can aid in the production of clean solar and wind energy by participating in the Renewable Pioneers program, a joint project of the city and Bonneville Environmental Foundation. By purchasing green tags, also known as renewable energy certificates, community members make donations to support regional and local renewable energy projects. One green tag represents a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions equal to not driving a car for approximately six weeks, according to Paige Prewett, Ashland residential outreach coordinator for the foundation. Each tag costs $20 and there is a minimum purchase of two tags. The cost is separate from a customer's utility bill, and can be paid in monthly installments. Green tag purchases are tax deductible. Ashland resident Kathleen Meagher was one of the first people to join the program when it was first launched earlier this year. "It may look like it costs more, but that's only in the short term," she said. "In the long term, what will it cost to sustain us into the future and for our children? If we don't conserve resources and use our knowledge on sustainable resources, we will destroy and deplete the very sustenance of our lives. In the long range, it's a very important investment. It's a minimal amount of money to pay for such an important issue." Local businesses also have joined the program, including Ashland Insurance and Ashland Sanitary Service. "The Renewable Pioneers program is a great way to change the power generated in this region from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy," said Russ Chapman, co-owner of Ashland Sanitary Service. "It's a good business and environmental decision." The city, Bonneville Environmental Foundation and local residents and businesses have a history of teaming up to support green power. Through the Solar Pioneers program, participants paid extra on their monthly utility bills to help fund the installation of solar systems at the Ashland Civic Center, Ashland Police Department, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Southern Oregon University in 2000. The program was discontinued after enough money was raised for the project in just two years, according to Dick Wanderscheid, Ashland Electric and Telecommunications Department director. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation also helped the city install a solar system at the Wilderness Charter School this year, with further contributions made by the Ashland Schools Foundation. For more information or to purchase green tags, call the Bonneville Environmental Foundation at 1-866-BEF-TAGS or visit Web site greentagsusa.org. Other stops on Saturday's solar tour are the Ashland Civic Center and the homes of Steve Fabricant and Keiko Miyagawa, Melanie Mindlin and Kevin Davidson, and Risa Buck. Tour participants will not only see solar electricity and water heater systems, but energy-efficient construction design features, a wind generator, a rainwater catchment and storage system and innovative methods for keeping homes cool in the summer heat. Participants should bring a sack lunch and car-pooling is encouraged.
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