5 Takeaways from Sustainable Northwest’s 2025 Fall Energy Symposium
By Alex Clingman, Clean Energy Program Manager
Believe it or not, we have officially turned our calendars to October. Before we grab our flannels and head out to enjoy some fall foliage hikes, pumpkin carving, and warm beverages, I wanted to reflect on some key takeaways from the 10th annual Fall Energy Symposium. This sold-out, three-day event brought together over one hundred rural energy leaders from across the region for field tours, panel discussions, and networking receptions. Here are some highlights that stood out to me:
Oregonians are eager to pursue local, resilient energy solutions;
There is no “one size fits all” approach to a successful clean energy transition;
Nothing beats time spent in the field;
Bend, don’t break, when the winds of uncertainty are blowing; and,
Make time to connect with your network!
We kicked off Wednesday with Field Tour 1 at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival production facility and Talent Community Center. Hosts Dan Orzech (Oregon Clean Power Cooperative) and Eric Hansen (True South Solar) shed learnings on unique community solar approaches, energy resilience strategies, and replicability recommendations. Dan stressed the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and collective project ownership to move ideas off the whiteboard and into shovel ready, operational systems.
From there, the group made our way to Southern Oregon University in Ashland for Field Tour 2. In the Stevenson Union, Becs Walker (Director of Sustainability) and Bret Anderson (Professor with their Institute for Applied Sustainability) presented on the campus’ dedication to renewable energy, hands-on student training, and real-world sustainability applications. In the wake of the Alameda Fire, both Walker and Anderson, as well as their teams, decided to bend and not break to “envision new possibilities for regenerating communities, environments, and economies.” Of the 4,000 structures lost to the 2020 Labor Day Fires, 2,400 of those were from the Almeda Fire that ignited just blocks from the university.
The next day brought us to Phoenix, Oregon for a full Conference Day of presentations, panels, and group exercises. The audience was engaged, full of questions, and eager to connect with one another on inspiring ideas and projects. Topics discussed include:
Margi Hoffman (Northwest Power & Conservation Council) explained the Council’s 20-year power plan for the Pacific Northwest and how it will address challenges facing our power grid while maintaining reliable and affordable power. We also learned that approximately 20% of every electron goes toward moving water, underscoring the intertwined nature of energy and water.
Margi joined Oregon State Senator Jeff Golden and Oregon State Representative Pam Marsh to dive into impactful legislation passed in Oregon this legislative session including bills like the POWER Act, FAIR Act, performance-based regulation, and microgrids. Senator Golden emphasized that there is no sustainable Pacific Northwest future without microgrids and distributed energy resources.
Later we hosted a deep dive into clean energy funding with Ryan Cook (Energy Trust of Oregon), Se-ah-dom Edmo (Seeding Justice), Kristi Kimball (ICLEI), and Reed Mayfield (Beneficial State Bank). Sarah Gledhill (Sustainable Northwest) moderated as panelists discussed how to weave together federal, state, and private funding to keep projects moving forward in Oregon.
Our discussion on wildfire risk and community energy resilience included Tyson Bittrich (Mayfield Renewables), Megan Fehrman (A Greater Applegate), Sean Hendrix (Grayback Forestry), and Laura Tabor (Oregon Public Utilities Commission). Hannah Satein (Oregon Department of Energy) moderated to look into what partners at the local, state, and regional level are doing to bolster community emergency preparedness and response as wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense.
The next discussion was about rural and Tribal innovations, with panelists Steve Genovese (Burns-Paiute Tribe) and Alex Schay (Carbon Solutions Northwest) with Steve Rigdon (Sustainable Northwest) moderating. We discussed existing and proposed projects including Burn Paiutes Tribe’s Energy Plan, the Dry Creek Landfill renewable natural gas project, and the Town of Lakeview’s geothermal-rich resources, all promising fewer emissions and more cost savings. There was a particular emphasis on the untapped benefits of biomass-powered energy systems with byproducts in forest management and fuel reductions. We also learned that the Burns Paiute Tribe is the largest fiscal agent in Harney County, underlining the impact of its ambitious energy and economic development goals in a remote part of the state.
We then jumped into sustainable agriculture and rural electrification with Susie Garcia (Rogue Climate), Keith Kueny (Farmers Conservation Alliance), and Kyle Petrocine (Energy Trust of Oregon), moderated by Robert Wallace (Wy’East Resource Conservation & Development). This panel highlighted wedding electrification initiatives in the Rogue Valley, the Medford Irrigation District’s floating solar project, and ETO’s Oregon Rural & Agricultural Assistance Program.
We appreciated having Titus Tomlinson (Institute for Policy Research and Engagement, University of Oregon) lead a wrap up exercise to help the audience ponder how far we’ve come in light of headwinds and leave feeling hopeful for the road ahead.
With our notepads full and heads swirling with ideas, we walked across the street to the Phoodery to unplug and connect with one another. This venue was not selected by accident, but rather, it showcased how a community is making strides in recovery following the devastation of a natural disaster. Phoenix Mayor Al Muelhoefer has called the local operation a “guiding light” for other businesses looking to reopen in the once-vibrant city heavily impacted by a wildfire that burned much of the surrounding area. As conference attendees watched the sunset over the hills that evening, a revitalizing breeze was undoubtedly blowing across Phoenix and the Rogue Valley.
We made our way to Field Tour 3 the next day at Rusted Gate Farm to hear from its very own Dave Picanso and John Souza, as well as Angalee O’Connor (Energy Trust of Oregon). In the crisp autumn morning air, we dove into the operation’s regenerative ranching and farmer education initiatives, while also talking about the importance of on-site generation, energy efficiency, and incentives. Picanso told a story of landscape transformation and sustainable grazing practices, while Souza highlighted their new USDA meat processing facility and net-zero added production kitchen. O’Connor leaned into the on-site generation and energy efficiency practices of the farm, highlighting how ETO played a role in navigating clean energy incentives.
The group also learned about the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant, which Rusted Gate Farm applied for and secured with Wy’East Resource Conservation & Development’s no-cost technical assistance. As taxable reimbursement grants that can fund up to 25% of energy efficiency improvement projects or renewable energy projects for the small business/applicant's use, these played a vital role in what we were seeing on the field tour that day (reach out to jackie@wyeast-rcd.org or learn more here).
The last stop brought us up the Applegate Valley for Field Tour 4 at Troon Vineyard & Farm. We heard from Garett Long (Director of Agriculture) and Bryan White (Owner) about the farm’s industry-leading practices and award-winning wine. As the world’s only Demeter Biodynamic Regenerative Gold Certified winery and farm, the group was captivated by its dedication to biodiversity, soil and ecosystem health, and carbon sequestration. The walking tour also included a behind-the-scenes look into how they manage their vineyards, orchards, gardens, pastures, and wildlife habitats.
Troon showcased its 153 kW solar barn and fleet of electric vehicles, including a freshly acquired Monarch MK-V tractor. This recent fleet addition was a result of the E-Farms program (a co-managed effort by Sustainable Northwest, Forth, Wy'East RC&D, and Bonneville Environmental Foundation) that allows farms to test electric farming equipment, compare it to traditional combustion models, and reduce barriers to electrifying working lands at no cost. Feeling inspired as the grapes were being harvested and pressed, the event ended in a rather fitting manner: with a glass of biodynamic wine and a farm-to-table meal.
Over the three days in the Rogue Valley, we forged new relationships, reconnected with old friends, and galvanized the support of longstanding Making Energy Work coalition partners. I feel confident when I say that the 2025 Fall Energy Symposium was one for the books, and that our team is already looking forward to hosting it in a new corner of Oregon next year!
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Panel notes (Credit: Jackie Solomon, Wy'East RC&D)
Thanks to our sponsors for making the 2025 Fall Energy Symposium possible!
