Oregon Coast Community Action is thrilled to highlight the progress being made in supporting South Coast families through the 2011-2012 US Department of Energy American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) Program grant. Upon being awarded $1.24 million, ORCCA began the process of providing sustainable energy resources for low-income consumers in Coos and Curry counties.
Through a partnership with Sol Coast Consulting and Design, ORCCA is providing Solar Photovoltaic (PV) access to over 100 low-income households in the area. ORCCA has already been able to install solar panels at the Women’s Safety and Resource Center’s Chloe House, as well as Coos Curry Housing Authority’s facilities in Airport Heights and Powers. Most recently, panels have been installed at Cedar Grove Apartments, and have just begun installations at Park West Apartments.
These buildings will serve as excellent examples of sustainable buildings that use energy more efficiently and reduce the environmental impacts associated with energy consumption, while providing sustainable cost savings and a better environment. Over the next 25 years, the cost savings are projected to be $1.2 million, not including any excess power that is produced and directed back to the utility grid for credit. The cost savings will translate to more disposable income available for residents to improve their living conditions and meet other needs.
In addition to the energy assistance provided, the $1.24 million has been reinvested directly into the local and state economy. All of the solar modules have been manufactured in Oregon, all the equipment suppliers are local, and the project has allowed for the creation of 11 local green jobs for the installations.
“We anticipate the project’s positive impacts on our community are going to be seen for years to come,” says Mary Schoen-Clark, CEO of Oregon Coast Community Action. “Not only will households save money on energy costs, but we also hope to demonstrate how communities like ours can benefit from sustainable-living practices.”
ORCCA’s Weatherization program has been in existence since the early 1980s. It serves to improve energy efficiency and safety in households in Coos and Curry counties. Since its inception, the program has provided services to over 3,000 homes in the area. For more information on ORCCA’s Weatherization services, please call (541) 435-7080 or visit www.orcca.us/energy.html .
If the economic impact of the investment returns directly the to community, isn’t that also a good reason to invest in decentralized power systems? Also when considering the return on investment is the effect on the enviroment calculated into the equation? Oil might provide a quicker ROI but what if you factor in the other costs that are absorbed the rest of society? What about the medical issues that we know are caused by fossil fuels, the changes in climate and the siphoning off of local local dollars to foreign nations? The cost of troops and military equipment to keep the oil flowing? These are paid for by tax payers. If ROI is going to be calculated fairly lets look at all the cost not only those that have not be shifted to another sector of the economy or to another class in the economy.
Pales in comparison to fossil fuel subsides, den. http://mgx.com/blogs/2011/05/08/what-if-coos-county-produced-all-its-energy-locally/
Americans paid seventy two times more to subsidize fossil fuels in the last five years than solar. If solar (and presumably wind) had received the same taxpayer investment, renewable energy would be cheaper than coal said to be peaking within twenty years.
Yes Den, just like the Port of Coos Bay blowing $300,000,000.00 in the last ten years.
Now THAT is something to get pissed about.
It is an investment of our tax dollars, or money off the printing press. The benefactors are the property owners and users, its call redistribution, and subsidization.
The life expectancy and maintenance cost are never proclaimed, most of the systems have a very short life span, far shorter than the pay back period.
But, its really about free money, someone’s else’s.