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OAN energy conservation summit yields first steps

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Members of OAN and several partner groups took part in the nursery industry energy conservation summit Dec. 7 at the Oregon Garden Resort. They came away with notable progress toward the industrywide goal of becoming 25 percent more energy efficient over the next decade. The OAN Board of Directors officially adopted this goal back in September.

“By setting a voluntary industry/association energy intensity reduction goal, OAN demonstrates energy management leadership and commitment to funding agencies, the community, and the entire industry,” said Whitney Rideout, who manages the OAN Sustainability Project.

Meeting participants established several priorities in order to meet the goal. The priorities include:

  • Build a solid energy infrastructure which will house information, tools, and training for OAN members;
  • Develop a plan to measure energy reduction; and
  • Create a centralized resource to link OAN members to funding sources and programs.

Participants in the meeting included experts from Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Energy Trust of Oregon, USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Services and the Clackamas County Soil & Water Conservation District.

According to Rideout, the conservation goal will provide a way to extend the value of the Climate Friendly Nurseries Project (CFNP) to all OAN members. She said that member input into this program will be critical to the success of the energy efficiency goal. For more information, contact Whitney Rideout at wrideout@oan.org or 503-582-2019.