Clean Energy
We believe everyone deserves affordable, clean energy produced locally.
That’s why we partner with rural and Indigenous communities to transition to clean energy and take ownership of their energy futures.
We see an opportunity to increase the pace of the transition to clean energy while ensuring a future with an equitable clean energy economy.
HERE’S WHAT WE ARE DOING ABOUT IT:
BUILDING AN ELECTRIC FUTURE WITH RURAL COMMUNITIES
Through our E-Farms program, we purchase, test, and demonstrate electric tractors, pickup trucks, and other electric equipment on farms, forests, and ranches.
This equipment is effective, affordable, and clean. It helps farmers, ranchers, and foresters:
Improve air quality and health in local communities.
Save on energy and fuel costs when every penny counts.
Advance their energy independence.
AMPLIFYING COMMUNITY VOICES IN ENERGY DECISIONS
Rural communities play a crucial role in the transition to locally produced, clean energy. We amplify rural voices by coordinating the Making Energy Work for Rural Oregon Coalition.
The coalition includes diverse partnerships in rural Oregon who are:
Planning and building community-based clean energy projects.
Learning from each other via quarterly workshops, field tours, and information-sharing sessions.
Pooling resources to pilot innovative demonstration projects.
Educating policy makers and funders about clean energy projects and programs.
ADVANCING LOCALLY DRIVEN, CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS
We help rural businesses, local governments, and Tribal Nations bring local, clean energy projects to their communities.
We provide hands-on support to community partners from planning through construction to:
Assess energy needs, create energy plans, and identify priority projects.
Secure and deliver funding and technical resources.
Identify vendors and put together project teams.
Build expertise within communities.
250,000
People employed in the U.S. solar industry, a 167% increase over the past decade according to the National Solar Jobs Census.
100%
Of Oregon’s energy to be generated from clean, renewable sources by 2040.
90%
Reduction in climate pollution when converting from a diesel tractor to an electric tractor.
90%
Savings in fuel costs when using an electric tractor compared to diesel.
“Sustainable Northwest has been instrumental in guiding Solarize Rogue through the complexities of renewable energy in Oregon and helping us understand the Community Solar program.
Solarize Rogue could not have made the progress we’ve achieved so far without the wonderful staff of Sustainable Northwest, their support and their infinite patience.”
- Ray Sanchez-Pescador, President Solarize Rogue
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Rural and indigenous communities are more likely to experience climate change disasters, such as wildfire and drought, making them more vulnerable to grid disruption.
Households in rural and indigenous communities often spend a higher percentage of their income on energy bills compared to most Americans.
They also rely heavily on farms, ranches, forests, and related businesses – which are struggling to keep up with rising energy costs to run equipment.
Historically, they have not benefited from large energy projects.
Clean energy expertise is concentrated in urban areas, making it harder to build and scale community-based energy projects.
