What is a Home Energy Score – and why does it matter? These questions were addressed at a special presentation by Energy Action Team members Marge Stevens and Michael Fahey on January 14, 2022. If you missed the program or would like to listen to it again, the recording is available HERE. Marge and Michael shared what they've learned from our mentors at the Oregon Department of Energy and Earth Advantage about the benefits of home energy score programs - and how to … [Read more...]
Economy & Climate Change
“Economy and Climate Change: How can our investments make a difference?” is an event designed to help both individuals and organizations explore how their investments can be put to work toward a just and livable future. This virtual event is scheduled for Thursday, December 2, at 6pm. To attend, go to https://lwv.corvallis.or.us/events/economy-and-climate-change and click on the Zoom link. Speakers/panelists include: Robert Devine, author of The Sustainable … [Read more...]
The Future of Natural Gas
Learn how you can help decarbonize energy! We have little time to decarbonize our energy systems. The science of climate change is clear and the necessary technology is available and economically feasible. Now is the time for government policy to speed the transformation to a clean energy economy. On Sept. 29, 2021, Christy Anderson Brekken gave an online presentation titled "Oregon Regulatory Pathways to Decarbonize Energy: THE FUTURE OF NATURAL GAS". View this … [Read more...]
Transportation Electrification
Learn how you can help decarbonize energy! We have little time to decarbonize our energy systems. The science of climate change is clear and the necessary technology is available and economically feasible. Now is the time for government policy to speed the transformation to a clean energy economy. On Sept. 22, 2021, Christy Anderson Brekken, gave an online presentation titled "Oregon Regulatory Pathways to Decarbonize Energy: TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION". View … [Read more...]
We’ve reached our fundraising goal!
This win-win project will help address climate change AND homelessness. Thanks to the generosity of 100 community members, we've met our fundraising goal for the newest Solarize Corvallis project – adding solar panels to the former Budget Inn. Corvallis Housing First recently received Project Turnkey funds to purchase the Budget Inn, 1480 SW 3rd Street, for emergency shelter and eventual permanent supported housing for our community members who are experiencing … [Read more...]
Solarize Corvallis
Want to help our community make the transition to renewable energy? … [Read more...]
Annual Meeting Video
More than 200 people joined us virtually for the launch of our 15th year! Wednesday, February 3, 2021 12 noon to 1:15 pm Want to hear some good news from 2020? We recorded the event and invite you to take a look at the Annual Meeting video for an overview of the past year’s accomplishments by several of our hard-working action teams. We think you’ll be amazed by what they were able to do in spite of last year’s challenges – projects such as Microshelters to … [Read more...]
Wildfires Rising • Dec 3
What are the environmental, social, and economic impacts of wildfires in Oregon? The League of Women Voters of Corvallis and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition invite you to explore this important topic. WILDFIRES RISING: Environment, Public Health, and Economics in the State of Oregon Thursday, December 3, 2020 - 7:00 pm Zoom Webinar Login: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85799441195 Our panelists are: Meg Krawchuk - Associate Professor, Dept. of Forest … [Read more...]
2019 Community Scrapbook
Each year we invite our partner organizations to share their primary accomplishments of the past year. This year 51 of our partners responded and we’ve compiled their responses into a Community Scrapbook, along with the key accomplishments of our 12 action teams. Take a look at the Community Scrapbook to learn about some of the great work that was done in 2019. We salute the organizations that are making a difference in our sustainability! … [Read more...]
Solar Makes $ense! • Feb. 19
Explore the benefits of solar energy. If you own a home or business or simply want to help reduce our community’s carbon emissions, here’s your chance to find out why solar makes sense! Solar Makes $ense! Solarize Your Home or Business Wednesday, February 19, 7–8:30 pm Corvallis-Benton County Public Library Find out how making the transition to solar energy makes sense – both to protect our future and save money! This special program will feature local solar … [Read more...]
Annual Meeting • Friday, Jan 24
Join us for the launch of our 14th year! You are invited to attend the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition's Annual Meeting of partner organizations and volunteers on Friday, January 24, from 12 noon to 1:30 pm at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Avenue. Everyone is welcome! The meeting will feature presentations on accomplishments of 2019 and plans for 2020. We have been working on a wide variety of projects in 12 topic areas: Community … [Read more...]
Energy Retrofit Your Home • August 15
Explore the benefits of making your home more energy efficient. If you own a home, whether it be a single-family or manufactured home, here’s your chance to find out about the latest opportunities to make it energy efficient! Energy Retrofit Your Home Thursday, August 15, 6:30–8 pm Corvallis-Benton County Public Library Find out how to save money and be more comfortable in your home, while helping to reduce CO2 emissions. This special program will feature … [Read more...]
Quarterly Gathering • July 18
Join us for lively presentations, networking and delicious snacks! A diverse mix of local sustainability efforts will be highlighted at our next quarterly gathering. Thursday, July 18 12 noon–1:30 pm Corvallis-Benton County Public Library The gathering will feature presentations by Coalition partners and action teams, highlighting what they are doing to help create a sustainable community – environmentally, socially, and economically. Paul Turner, Darkside … [Read more...]
Solar Makes $ense! • May 13
Explore the benefits of solar energy. If you own a home or business, or simply want to help reduce our community’s carbon emissions, here’s your chance to find out why solar makes sense! Solar Makes $ense! Solarize Your Home or Business Monday, May 13, 7–8:30 pm Corvallis-Benton County Public Library This special program will feature presentations by Julie Williams, Founder of Seeds for the Sol, and Dan Orzech, General Manager of the Oregon Clean Power … [Read more...]
Make the transition to solar energy
How is your home or business powered? Did you know that more than half of Pacific Power electricity comes from burning COAL? (Source: Pacific Power) Save money and create a livable future by making the transition to SOLAR energy. Solar is the right thing for your pocketbook, your family and the planet. If you own a home, NOW is the time to make the transition to solar energy. The combination of rebates, plus federal tax credits, make solar a very … [Read more...]
Annual Meeting slideshow
If you missed our annual meeting in January or would like a recap, here's another chance to see the slideshow. The annual meeting featured presentations about our accomplishments in 2018 and plans for 2019. We have been working on a wide variety of projects in 12 topic areas: Community Inclusion, Economic Vitality, Education, Energy, Food, Health and Human Services, Housing, Land Use, Natural Areas, Transportation, Waste Prevention, and Water. A highlight of the … [Read more...]
Annual Meeting is Friday 1/11/19
We hope you'll join us for the launch of our 13th year! You are invited to attend the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition's Annual Meeting of partner organizations and volunteers on Friday, January 11, from 12 noon to 1:30 pm at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Avenue. Everyone is welcome! The meeting will feature presentations on accomplishments of 2018 and plans for 2019. We have been working on a wide variety of projects in 12 topic … [Read more...]
Solar Makes $ense! • October 29
Explore the benefits of solar energy. If you own a home or business, or simply want to help reduce our community’s carbon emissions, here’s your chance to find out why solar makes sense! Solar Makes $ense! Solarize Your Home or Business Monday, October 29, 7–8:30 pm Corvallis-Benton County Public Library This special program will feature presentations by Julie Williams, Founder of Seeds for the Sol, and Dan Orzech, General Manager of the Oregon Clean Power … [Read more...]
When the Grid Goes Out: Solar, Microgrids and Natural Disasters
Special presentation Tuesday, May 29, at 7 pm at the library. Fires. Floods. Earthquakes. What happens to the electric grid when disaster strikes - and what does that mean for our community? Learn how grid outages affect businesses and communities, and how solar, batteries and microgrids kept the power on during Hurricanes Irma and Harvey and the northern California fires last year. This special presentation by Dan Orzech, General Manager of the Oregon Clean Power … [Read more...]
Annual Meeting is Friday 1/12/18
We hope you'll join us for the launch of our 12th year! You are invited to attend the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition's Annual Meeting of partner organizations and volunteers on Friday, January 12, from 12 noon to 1:30 pm at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Avenue. Everyone is welcome! The meeting will feature presentations on accomplishments of 2017 and plans for 2018. We have been working on a wide variety of projects in 12 topic … [Read more...]
Solar House Party • November 9
Interested in going solar? Join the party! Thursday, November 9 · 7 pm The Sustainability Coalition has been sponsoring a series of Solar House Parties hosted by Corvallis residents who are realizing the benefits of solar energy. Are you a homeowner? Interested in exploring solar for your home? If you answered “YES” to both of these questions, then you’re invited! This will be our LAST Solar House Party in 2017. The event includes informal … [Read more...]
Interested in going solar? Join the party!
Friday, September 15 • 7 pm The Sustainability Coalition is sponsoring a series of Solar House Parties hosted by Corvallis residents who are realizing the benefits of solar energy. Are you a homeowner? Interested in exploring solar for your home? If you answered “YES” to both of these questions, then you’re invited! Each party includes informal conversation, a brief program about solar energy and financing opportunities, a chance to ask questions – … [Read more...]
Transitioning to a Post Carbon Society • August 30
Don’t miss this special opportunity to hear Richard Heinberg and meet the Post Carbon Institute staff. Transitioning to a Post Carbon Society in the Age of Denial Wednesday, August 30, 7–8:30 pm Corvallis-Benton County Public Library Richard Heinberg is the author of thirteen books, including some of the seminal works on society’s current energy and environmental crises. He is Senior Fellow of the Post Carbon Institute and is regarded as one of the world’s … [Read more...]
Interested in going solar? Join the party! August 31
The solar party, that is … Thursday, August 31 • 7 pm The Sustainability Coalition is sponsoring a series of Solar House Parties hosted by Corvallis residents who are realizing the benefits of solar energy. Are you a homeowner? Interested in exploring solar for your home? If you answered “YES” to both of these questions, then you’re invited! Each party includes informal conversation, a brief program about solar energy and financing opportunities, a … [Read more...]
Interested in going solar? Join the party! July 28
The solar party, that is … Friday, July 28 • 7 pm The Sustainability Coalition is sponsoring a series of Solar House Parties hosted by Corvallis residents who are realizing the benefits of solar energy. Are you a homeowner? Interested in exploring solar for your home? If you answered “YES” to both of these questions, then you’re invited! Each party includes informal conversation, a brief program about solar energy and financing opportunities, a chance … [Read more...]
A God in the Hearth 7/13 – 8/20
This special exhibit at The Arts Center presents a visual essay on fire and fossil fuels. Experience the work of Portland painter David Carmack Lewis, who explores the deep human connection to fire and how it transforms landscapes and now the climate itself. Through his work, Lewis hopes to engage the community on the issues of fossil fuels, climate change, and how art and science can work together to promote education and change. The Corvallis Sustainability … [Read more...]
Interested in going solar? Join the party! … June 28
The solar party, that is … June 28. We are launching a series of Solar House Parties, hosted by Corvallis residents who are realizing the benefits of solar energy. The first house party is Wednesday, June 28 at 7 pm. Are you a homeowner? Interested in exploring solar for your home? If you answered “YES” to both of these questions, then you’re invited! Each party will include informal conversation, a brief program about solar energy and financing … [Read more...]
Climate Action
UPDATE: We’ve met this year’s Climate Action Fund campaign goal but it’s not too late to donate! It’s up to us, now more than ever. Now that leaders at the federal level have turned their backs on the Paris Climate Agreement, it’s up to us at the local, regional, and state levels to broaden and deepen our commitment to climate action. The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition has made climate action our top priority – and we need YOUR help now! We have two major … [Read more...]
Volunteer Spotlight: Linda Lovett
Linda Lovett has helped lead sustainability efforts in our community for the past 10 years. She has served on the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition's Steering Committee since it was formed in 2007. Linda, what in your background led you to be interested in volunteering with the Sustainability Coalition? I have been an environmentalist for as long as I can remember. As a Girl Scout, I planted trees on the first Earth Day in 1970. Growing up in Seattle, my main … [Read more...]
3 Secrets of the Sun
Come to the library for a special unveiling on Saturday, August 27. World renowned artist and Corvallis resident, Peter Erskine, will unveil his most recent installation at a community event on Saturday, August 27, from 2 to 5 pm at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. The event will include kids’ activities, music, film, solar exhibits, refreshments, and more. … [Read more...]
Harvest Sunshine
Harvest Sunshine is a 5-year campaign we launched in January 2016, to accelerate the development of solar energy in Corvallis. Our goal is to more than double the amount of solar in Corvallis within the next 5 years—from 840 rooftops in 2015 to 2,000 rooftops in 2020. Corvallis currently has 4.2 megawatts (MW) of solar coverage—the equivalent of 840 rooftops Our 1-year goal is to cover an additional 300 residential and 100 commercial/municipal rooftops with … [Read more...]
Become an Energizer!
Spread the word about Take Charge Corvallis – and help our community win the $5 million energy prize! Take Charge Corvallis is the name of our local initiative to compete for the $5 million Georgetown University Energy Prize—and we need YOU to help spread the word by becoming an Energizer! Sign up to become an Energizer! Contact: This is an amazing opportunity to create a community-wide effort to reduce our energy use. Whether … [Read more...]
Take Charge Corvallis!
David Eckert and Annette Mills had a 3.85 kW solar array installed on their home in November 2014. By April 2015, their solar generation exceeded the amount of energy used in the home—by 3 times on most days! Since the extra energy goes back into the grid, that’s a huge savings in both energy and money. (Dave checks the meter every day and keeps track of how much energy is coming from the sun!) This is only one of the many stories Corvallis residents are telling as … [Read more...]
Climate Solutions event this Saturday
Climate policies, programs, and politics that are working well in Oregon will be the topic of a special program this Saturday, April 11, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2945 NW Circle, in Corvallis. The keynote speaker will be Catherine Mater, who serves on the Oregon Global Warming Commission and is a prominent expert in sustainable forestry and conservation issues. She is president of Mater Engineering in Corvallis and a senior fellow of … [Read more...]
Annual Meeting Wrap-up
The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition's Annual Meeting of partner organizations and volunteers was held on Monday, January 12, at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. The meeting featured presentations on accomplishments of 2014 and plans for 2015. The Coalition has been working on a wide variety of projects in 12 topic areas: Community Inclusion, Economic Vitality, Education, Energy, Food, Health and Human Services, Housing, Land Use, Natural Areas, … [Read more...]
Will a carbon tax fly in Oregon?
A panel of experts explored this question at a special forum on Nov. 20. Video HERE >>> … [Read more...]
Carbon Tax Forum
Combating Climate Change: Will a carbon tax fly in Oregon? A public forum on carbon pricing was held at OSU's Linus Pauling Science Center on Nov. 20, 2014. The topic was viewed from three distinct perspectives: economic, legal, and public policy. The panelists: 1) Jeff Renfro: Senior Economist at the Northwest Economic Research Center (NERC) at Portland State University and Jenny Liu: Assistant Director at NERC . They co-authored the 2013 study “Carbon Tax and … [Read more...]
Corvallis Climate Summit
More than 225 people turned out for the first Corvallis Climate Summit on Sunday afternoon, January 26, in an effort to connect and collaborate on new ways Corvallis can be a national leader in slowing greenhouse gas emissions. The summit was an opportunity to network, learn about current climate change projects, innovate and ultimately spark new alliances and collaborations for slowing climate change. This many people coming together to brainstorm ways to slow … [Read more...]
What Patrons of Local Businesses Want
“What would you like to see businesses that you patronize do this year to model sustainable practices?” That question was asked at Town Hall 2011 and answered by attendees. Here are some of their responses related to ENERGY: Schedule a resource efficiency review with the Corvallis Environmental Center, then implement the suggestions. Use energy-efficient lighting, and turn off the lights when they’re not in use. Use better electrical sources like … [Read more...]