The Oregon BOC is NOW registering for a BOC Level I. The Oregon BOC will offer a Level II in 2021.

THE BOC BENEFIT

No matter where your building is located or what it is used for, there’s one powerful tool that will make it run more efficiently: operator education.

Building systems are complex and interdependent. To get the most out of them, operators must be able to see the big picture. The Building Operator Certification® (BOC) program teaches facilities personnel to understand these systems and bring them collectively to peak efficiency.

And the Energy Trust of Oregon is offering incentives to take this training. 

Building Operator Certification® (BOC) trains and certifies building operators on the latest technologies and strategies for maintaining equipment, increasing occupant comfort, improving energy efficiency and reducing energy costs in their buildings. BOC is designed for building operators, custodians, maintenance staff and others interested in learning ways to save energy through building operation and maintenance.

Two levels of training are offered:
• Level I—Building Systems Maintenance (8 one-day classes)
• Level II—Equipment Troubleshooting and Maintenance (7 one-day classes)

Energy Trust of Oregon provides a cash incentive of up to $1,600* per building operator to help with the cost of completing Level I or Level II BOC training. Participants may not receive an incentive for both Level I and Level II certification within three years. This incentive is available for building operators regularly working in a commercial, multifamily, institutional or government building served by Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas or Avista.    Energy Trust of Oregon

To register see our Page HERE

Buildings & Transformation Through and Beyond COVID19

The BCxA Conference Opening Keynote Address, Buildings & Transformation Through and Beyond COVID19, will be presented by Dr. Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg, Professor of Architecture and founder of the Institute for Health in the Built Environment at the University of Oregon.

As he notes in his recent video, “we can’t test every person every day for the coronavirus, but we can test every building every day, and soon it may be every hour and even every minute."

 Buildings & Transformation Through and Beyond COVID19

Energy Trust of Oregon has increased BOC incentives!!!

Tools and Training - Energy Trust of Oregon Energy Trust of Oregon provides a cash incentive of up to $1,600* per building operator to help with the cost of completing Level I or Level II BOC training. Participants may not receive an incentive for both Level I and Level II certification within three years. www.energytrust.org

Student Highlight and Congratulations on your scholarship!!!

Congratulations to Esteban Montero Chacon!!! Esteban has received one of the American Public Power Association’s DEED scholarships to assist in his Energy Management program studies.

Esteban came to understand that in order to preserve our way of life on this planet, we need to do more than just recycle. So a few years ago, he decided to leave his formal work as a medical interpreter and dedicate his time to a new and more meaningful career path where he could use his technical skills and talents to make a greater difference in the world. Esteban enrolled in the Energy Management Program at Lane Community College in 2018 and, while continuing to work part-time, he has managed to excel in his courses and will graduate later this year with a high GPA.

Esteban’s bicultural background, international travel, and work experience give him a unique perspective and understanding of the world. He remains passionate and committed to helping create innovative and effective solutions to the ecological perils facing our world so that our planet can sustain healthy and happy human populations for many years to come.

Esteban's family has been supportive and excited about this new career

The Energy Management Program is very excited to have Esteban onboard and very proud of his success. In addition to the scholarship support, Esteban is working with Emerald People’s Utility District (EPUD) in Eugene, Oregon.

As a recipient of the DEED scholarship, Esteban works with EPUD, his sponsoring utility. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with professionals and to learn firsthand about the industry. Below are some of the ways that the utility and the scholarship work for the student:

• The utility provides an opportunity for the student to shadow an employee on staff.
• The utility shares information about the electric utility industry and career opportunities in public power with the recipient, such as by conducting a tour and briefing at the sponsor’s utility.
• The utility offers the recipient an opportunity to assist and participate in special events the utility hosts, such as programs during Public Power Week or at local schools.
• The utility provides a mentor to the scholarship recipient who can share information on appropriate public power career paths and be a resource to the student at least during the time frame of the DEED scholarship.

The Energy Management program is very proud of its students and of the work that our utility partners play in the education of students.

If you are interested in applying for the $2,000 DEED educational scholarship, visit publicpower.org/deed-funding-students to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. The application period opens August 1, 2020, and applications are due by October 15, 2020.

Now is the time to apply to the program and get started! The American Public Power Association can assist you in finding a DEED member utility to sponsor your application, but don’t delay. You must have an assigned sponsoring utility at least two weeks prior to the application deadline in order to apply.

If you have questions, please contact Roger Ebbage at 541-463-6160 or .

2020 Solar Rebates and Incentives

This article was provided to NWEEI as a resource.  Find updates and resources for Solar.  April 2020

Solar energy provides positive impacts for the environment and cuts energy costs significantly. Although solar is about 90% cheaper than 10 years ago, to promote its continued growth, many states, counties, municipalities and utilities are providing solar tax breaks and financial incentives to make solar more affordable to homeowners.

State Solar incentives differ between states and utility providers. So, what incentives are you eligible for? Take a look at the top programs and rebates available in the U.S.

Solar Rebates  For more information.