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News
Energy Trust of Oregon provides support to Earth Advantage, Inc. Sustainable Community Pilot ProjectsOctober 30, 2008 Three Projects Selected to Test the Earth Advantage Sustainable Community StandardPORTLAND - Today, Earth Advantage, Inc. announced the selection of three residential development projects as Earth Advantage Sustainable Community pilots. Energy Trust has endorsed the development of the pilot community standard and will offer promotional support to these three projects. The selected projects include a Clackamas Community Land Trust development in Oregon City, Pamelia Lane in Newberg, and Verde Village in Ashland.
These three pilot projects will be among the first to utilize the new Earth Advantage Sustainable Community (EASC) standard. As such, the project will need to certify that they meet conditions in four program categories by demonstrating how the development will:
“The development of the EASC standard and the implementation of these pilot projects would not have been possible without the strong support of Energy Trust of Oregon,” said Ann Griffin, the Sustainable Community Program Manager. “With Energy Trust’s help, we have been able to develop a standard that provides a comprehensive and flexible approach to planning, constructing, and verifying sustainable communities.” Energy Trust of Oregon and Earth Advantage will work with each of the pilot project teams in the coming year as they move to begin construction.
“Energy Trust’s focus is on the efficient energy performance of newly constructed homes,” said Kendall Youngblood, Residential Sector Manager for Energy Trust. “But we’ve supported Earth Advantage on this endeavor because an efficient home is even better if it is located in a sustainable community.”
Clackamas Community Land Trust (CCLT) plans to build twelve duplex style homes along Morton Road in Oregon City. The homes will be priced to serve residents whose incomes are at the 30% to 80% median family income level. The project is currently registered with the US Green Building Council and CCLT will build the homes to the LEED for Homes standard.
The Newberg development is being managed by Larry Anderson, an engineer and resident in Newberg. Anderson currently resides on the Pamelia Lane site and is driven to build a sustainable community project. Pamelia Lane will include open space areas for birds and other wildlife, and enhancements for the Springbrook Creek stream corridor.
The Verde Village project in Ashland will be developed under the management of Greg and Valeri Williams. Like Anderson, the Williams have long-standing connections to the project community. Verde Village will restore the area where the Rogue River crosses the site, and will include a public bicycle path that is part of a larger Rogue Valley Greenway path. The homes will be powered in part with solar and geothermal resources.
All of the homes within the three projects will be built to either the Earth Advantage Silver or LEED for Homes standard. These standards require high performance attributes such as energy efficient heating and cooling systems, windows and insulation. Required measures are designed to protect the environment, including a stormwater management plan, a grading and erosion plan, and transportation circulation system that responds to the needs of the specific project location, among others. “EASC projects will promote on-going opportunities for residents to learn about the sustainable features of where they live,” said Griffin. “They will also be structured so that sustainable qualities are maintained over time.”
Earth Advantage, Inc. will also move forward in working with other development projects interested in adopting the EASC standard. For more information, contact Ann Griffin, Sustainable Community Program Manager, at 503 968 7160, extension 31.
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Earth Advantage, Inc. began nearly a decade ago as a utility-based energy conservation program of Portland General Electric. In the spring of 2005, EAI became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Since that time, the organization has established itself as the Northwest’s premier service provider of green building programs. Earth Advantage, Inc. certifies homes as a third-party verifier for both the ENERGY STAR® and LEED for Homes® programs, as well as for its own residential, commercial, communities, and remodeling programs. In addition, Earth Advantage, Inc. provides green design and consulting services, conducts education and training seminars, and is a key contributor to the development of green building standards. The organization includes over 400 builders, remodelers, and sponsors throughout Oregon, Southwest Washington, and Northern California, and licensed partners in the seven states of New England. |
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