miller paint adds another coat of green getting smart us ...€¦ · capture methane from animal...

Congratulations! You are among more than 6,300 NW Natural customers who have signed up for Smart Energy. You have taken an important step in fighting climate change

by joining this program which offsets the car-bon dioxide associated with natural gas use.

During our first year, you and other Smart Energy participants offset 14,000 tons of carbon dioxide. That is the equivalent of reducing gasoline use by 1.4 million gallons. NW Natural was the first Smart Energy customer, pledging to offset all of the natural gas used to heat its facilities for the first five years of the program.

The funds raised through Smart Energy are helping bring biogas to the region. Biogas is created in biodigesters, which capture methane from animal waste and turn it into energy. Methane is a 21 times more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

getting smart2008 Progress rePort to smart energy Partners

Biogas is coming, courtesy of 1,200 cows

Special offer on reverse side

Few companies

are on par with

Parr Lumber

when it comes

to protect-

ing the environment. In addition to being

a Smart Energy member, the company has

launched two major green initiatives of its

own. The Parr High Performance System

simplifies green building and helps

construct homes that are healthy, energy

efficient and environmentally sound.

Parr’s “Get Real” program identifies green

products in its stores that are made with

sustainable practices. Parr knows how

much the building industry affects the

environment and is doing all it can to

minimize the impact. That’s smart.

Parr builds environmental awareness

Turn your friends onto Smart Energy. If they

sign up, we’ll return the favor by sending you

a water-saving kit. It’s easy to install and has a

showerhead that feels like a full force shower.

Water heaters are one of the largest energy

users in your home. Help us add more Smart

Energy members and we’ll help you save

water, energy and money.

Offer valid January 1 — February 15, 2009

Protect the earth. Pass it on.

Program summary: Each one of us is responsible for carbon dioxide entering

the atmosphere — more than 16 metric tons for the average American during

one year. From the cars we drive to the lights in our homes to the heat in our

buildings, our everyday lives contribute to the creation of carbon dioxide and

other greenhouse gases.

While there’s no way to avoid these impacts completely, we can take steps to reduce our

“environmental footprint” by using energy efficiently. Smart Energy is a simple way to

reduce a portion of the greenhouse gases caused by energy use.

NW Natural has partnered with The Climate Trust, a Portland-based nonprofit

organization focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to provide customers

the opportunity to offset the CO2 emissions from their natural gas energy use for as

little as $6 a month. The Climate Trust will invest Smart Energy funds in clean-energy

projects right here in the West.

In exchange for their contribution, Smart Energy participants will have “carbon offsets”

retired on their behalf for greenhouse gases removed from the atmosphere.


prsrt stdus postage

paidportland or 97209

permit no 157nw natural 220 nw second avenue Portland, or 97209

Please join us in thanking our commercial partners for their commitment to fighting climate change by offsetting 100% of the emissions from their natural gas use.

Business PartnersGreater than 25,000 ThermsMiller Paint CompanyOregon Convention CenterPARR LumberUS Fish & Wildlife Service

1,001 - 25,000 ThermsADIAdvanced Machining, Inc.Black Sheep Bakery, Inc.Block 15 Brewing CompanyBuddhist Diahonzan HenjyojiCity of Portland – City HallConocoPhillipsEleek, Inc.Footwise, Inc.Growing Seeds NorthHawthorne Auto ClinicHawthorne Family MedicineIndustrial Machine ServicesInformation Management SolutionsInn at the GorgeLimbo FilmsMorgenthaler & Graham Inc.

Oregon Veterinary Medical GroupPet Etc.Portland Jazzercise Fitness CenterPortland Store FixturesSigns Now NWSpecialty Auto BodySteelab LLCSurplusGizmos.comThe JoineryTheta Chi FraternityUshio America, Inc.Wild Currant1,000 Therms or LessAirfilco, Inc.Alberta Cooperative GroceryAlpine CateringApple Inn Bed & BreakfastBeaumont Healthcare Clinic

Broadway Floral & GreenhouseCarole Meyer Photo, Inc.Corvallis Environmental CenterD Cochran Enterprises, Inc.Digital Vision, Inc”E. Z. Orchards Farm MarketECOpdxEvergreen DentalExcellence, Inc.Farley and Associates, Inc.Foster & Dobbs Authentic FoodsFoundation Garments, Inc.Friends of TreesHaystack Broadcasting, Inc.ImajenIntegrity Painting, Inc.IRM ForestryKen Doerfler Insurance, Inc.

2008 CIRCLE MEMBER

Khalsa Pain Relief ClinicMcClains Printmaking SuppliesNew ShoesOslund Design, Inc.Paul Henne TV & StereoPCH Cables, Inc.Ridgeway WoodworksRoger Wooley DMD, MSSoil SolutionsSpringwater JewelersThe Funky DoorThe Third Eye, Inc.The Veterinary HospitalTodd CleekTorgersen Design, Inc.U Pull it U SaveUp and Out, Inc.Urban Wellness GroupWinston Family Dental

2008 Smart Energy™ Circle Members

We thank you. The cows thank you. The world thanks you.

NW Natural is the first stand-alone natural gas utility in the United States to offer its customers a carbon offset program and does not profit from the sales of carbon offsets. The company is partnering with The Climate Trust, an internationally recognized leader in the carbon offset industry, to quantify, verify and retire each carbon offset.

Thank you for taking the lead in helping fight climate change and investing in a renewable future.

During our first year, you and other Smart

Energy participants offset 14,000 tons of

carbon dioxide… the equivalent of reducing

gasoline use by 1.4 million gallons.

NW Natural is partnering with a farmer and local environmental nonprofit to develop a biodigester pilot project in Board-man, Oregon. The project is funded by NW Natural, Smart Energy participants, and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

Construction at Threemile Canyon Farms is expected to begin in early 2009 and the digester should be fully operational by mid-March. Once ready, waste from 1,200 cows will be loaded into the digester and turned into biogas. Enough energy will be produced to re-place 70,000 gallons of propane. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will be reduced by 1,500 tons annually. An additional 200 tons of CO2 emissions will also be prevented from entering the atmosphere as a result of re-duced propane consumption.

“This project will demonstrate the role biodigesters can have in supporting farms, reducing

greenhouse gas emissions and pro-viding a renewable energy source,” said Gregg Kantor, President & CEO. “We are pleased to be working in partnership with two organizations that are committed to developing

a new, local renewable source of energy.”

Threemile Canyon Farms has the capacity to install as many as 12 additional biodigesters, which could capture more than 18,000 tons of CO2 each year. When developed to capacity, the biogas created from the biodigest-ers could run a gas chiller to cool milk, offset a neighbor’s fossil fuel use, or generate electricity.

“We are looking forward to adding green energy to our complement of sustainable farming practices,”

said Marty Myers, GM of Threemile Canyon Farms. “We operate a socially responsible farm and the biodigester project meshes with our vision and values.”

Threemile Canyon Farms blends dairy operations with crop grow-ing to create a closed-loop system that recycles nearly all of the farm’s waste. Innovative water, soil, habitat and wildlife conservation

practices have earned the farm recognition for its commitment to environmental sustainability.

The digester project will use a new, low-cost design that eliminates the need for high-priced

concrete or steel. The patented design was created by J-U-B ENGINEERS, Inc. of Kennewick, Washington and is ideal for large and small farms.

The innovative digester uses an enclosed container to trap gases. The bottom of the container, which looks like a lagoon, is lined with a barrier that is layered with automobile

tires. The honeycomb design created by the tires traps bacteria from the cow

manure and speeds the digestion process.

The digester will produce enough energy to

replace 70,000 gallons of propane and reduce

CO2 emissions by at least 1,500 tons annually.

Threemile Canyon Farms blends dairy operations with crop growing to create a closed-loop system that recycles nearly all of the farm’s waste.

Use Less — Offset the Rest

A mantra to live by — Use less, offset the rest Yes, carbon offsets help reduce carbon emissions. But, that is just one gear on the bike. To really move forward in reducing fossil fuel consumption we must start with energy efficiency.

NW Natural leads its peers in helping customers use less energy. In fact, the company has restructured its rates so that its profits aren’t tied to increasing the amount of gas it sells to customers. It’s a new business model for the future.

This rate strategy, which has been adopted by more than 25 other utilities across the United States, allows NW Natural to partner with Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) on energy efficiency programs. Together, NW Natural and the ETO saved enough therms in 2007 to heat 4,300 homes for a year.

Cool the burn of high utility bills with a free

home energy review. Energy efficiency is also

one of the easiest ways to reduce carbon

emissions. Contact the Energy Trust

of Oregon at www.energytrust.org.

Efficiency — get started today

Five little things that can add up to big savings:

Clean or replace• furnace filters monthly.

Turn down the thermostat• during the day and when you go to bed.

Insulate• hot water pipes in unheated areas.

Caulk • small holes and cracks around plumbing pipes, sink drains and under countertops.

Set your water heater• at 120 degrees.

c

Free water-saving kit is yours when you refer a new Smart Energy member. Just include your name on the form on the reverse side.


Miller Paint adds another coat of green

Miller Paint has been into green

long before joining the Smart

Energy program. Back in 1996

when green was just a color

choice, Miller removed all the

solvents from its top product

line. They simply thought it was

the wise thing to do. Since then,

the employee-owned company has steadily

reduced the use of solvents wherever

possible in all its products

and manufacturing process-

es. Now, as a Smart Energy

member, Miller is offsetting all

company emissions from

natural gas. They

recognized it

as another smart

thing to do. Like another

coat of green.

from the natural gas consumed in Corvallis. That’s like taking 300 cars off the road for a year. If Corvallis reaches its goal, NW Natural will host

a community celebration.

“What’s great about linking home energy audits and Smart Energy in this challenge is that it’s consistent with what we’re telling all our customers,” said Bill Edmonds, Director of Environmental Policy and Sustainability. “First, reduce what you can with

energy efficiency and then offset the rest with Smart Energy.”

The project is sponsored by Energy Trust of Oregon and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition (a network of organizations, businesses and citizens in Corvallis and Benton County

2008 Progress rePort to smart energy Partnersgetting smart

Coupon valid at Miller Paint Company owned stores only. No cash value. Expires 6/30/2009. Limit one coupon per transaction. Coupon must be surrendered at time of purchase. Valid for retail transactions only. NWNSE

Bring this coupon in to any of our company owned stores today to receive $10 o� your next purchase of paint and/or painting supplies totalling $50 or more! For a location

near you, go to www.millerpaint.com.

• Zero VOC’s• Solvent Free• Green Seal Certified

Smart Energy Residential Enrollment FormProtect the earth. Pass it on.

o Average Option — For $6 a month I want to offset all the carbon emissions of the average natural gas home (4 tons annually).

o Climate Neutral Option — For $0.1049 per therm I want to offset all the carbon emissions of my home’s natural gas use. (Total monthly charge will vary depending on actual gas usage.)

Name (as it appears on your NW Natural bill)

NW Natural Account Number

Address Apt. No

City State Zip

Phone Number

E-mail

Signature Date

Name of the Smart Energy customer who referred you, so they may receive a free water-saving kit. (Please print legibly.)

Visit: nwnatural.com/smart to sign up online and for answers to Smart Energy questionsMail to: NW Natural attn: Smart Energy 220 NW 2nd Avenue Portland, OR 97209

Call: 800.422.4012 to sign up by phone

The natural beauty of biogasRenewable gas is a versatile form of bioenergy. It can be used directly at the site of production, and in the future it could be sent to residential and commercial customers through natural gas pipelines.

In fact, biomass accounted for 3 to 4% of the total primary energy consumption in the European Union in 2001. Biogas is a mixture of methane and other gases produced from the decomposition of or-ganic materials. It is produced naturally in landfills and in decomposing animal waste, sewage and crop waste.

A 1998 U.S. Department of Energy study concluded that the renewable gas potential from these sources realistically could equal 10 billion gallons of gasoline a year. Using biogas as transportation fuel could keep the equivalent of 580 million tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere each year.

If used for power generation, gas from livestock manure could generate

STEP ONE STEP TWO STEP THREE

Waste captured processed into Biogas

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Benefit THECLIMATETRUST CUSTOMER

Smart Energy Program

A

B

C

D

FG

PIPELINE SYSTEME

Biodigester

enough electricity to meet up to 3% of North America’s consumption needs while significantly reducing green-house gas emissions, according to the Institute of Physics.

Biogas has other environmental ben-efits aside from reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The American Biogas Alliance has found that processing animal waste for energy instead of pooling it into open lagoons significantly reduces groundwater contamination and odor pollution.

NW Natural is leading efforts to develop a national quality standard for natural gas utilities to use biogas. Once this standard is set, NW Natural could add biogas to its system and deliver it to customers.

A. The typical cow produces 120 pounds of waste each day. Methane emitted from cow waste into the atmosphere is 21 times more potent than CO2.

B. The first step to turning cow manure into biogas is to trap it, halting the release of greenhouse gas emissions and improving water quality.

C. The manure can then be put into a ”biodigester“ — the technology used to turn it into clean, renewable biogas.

D. Biogas can be used to generate electricity.

E. Or treated and eventually added to a gas pipeline system and used in homes and businesses.

F. Smart Energy funds will go through NW Natural to The Climate Trust, which will purchase carbon offsets from the biogas project.

G. Customers participating in Smart Energy will have offsets retired for the emissions resulting from their natural gas use.

Smart Energy and Biogas — how it works

Quizz: What city has issued a challenge to its residents?(Hint – “Quizz” Rodgers is the local football star.)

Residents and businesses in Corvallis are teaming up to take on climate change. Go, Beavs, go! The community has mounted a yearlong campaign challenging its citizens, includ-ing students and renters, to increase their energy efficiency and use clean, renewable power. For starters, they are encouraged to get energy reviews that iden-tify energy-saving opportunities and assess the potential for solar projects.

The campaign also suggests that par-ticipants enroll in NW Natural’s Smart Energy program. It can make a big difference in reaching the overall goal: to collectively offset 3% of emissions

working together to accelerate sustainability in their communities).

Corvallis has other goals and projects in mind, including building community support for a 100-kilowatt solar electric system at Corvallis High School and

conducting solar assessments of the city’s aquatic center, senior center, library, and a public works building. The city is also participating in Oregon Association of Clean Water Agency’s study of how to move Oregon wastewater treatment plants to “best in class” in energy efficiency and 100% renewable power capacity within 10 years. Way to go, Corvallis.

“First, reduce what you can with

energy efficiency and then offset

the rest with Smart Energy.”

NOTE: If offset costs rise over time above the price built into the Smart Energy program, we will not adjust the participation fee, but the amount of offsets purchased could decrease.

World-class quality offsets

The Climate Trust, located

in Portland, Oregon,

provides high-quality

greenhouse gas offsets.

In fact, the nonprofit

organization is the first

provider in the nation of regulatory-grade

offsets and has a reputation for innovation

and integrity.

The Climate Trust pioneered and refined a

rigorous five-step process for evaluating,

selecting and overseeing the performance

of offset projects. The five steps are:

ONE: Evaluating offset quality by using

widely accepted offset evaluation criteria, the

most important of which is “additionality.” It is

essential that a developer prove that emission

reductions from a project are “in addition to”

reductions that would have occurred without

the incentive provided by offset funding.

TWO: Evaluating the offset project design

by performing due diligence on the project,

including monitoring, verification and offset

ownership.

ThREE: Applying rigorous quantification

procedures through the use of conservative

measurement methodologies and verification

of project performance by independent third-

party experts.

FOUR: Negotiating strong contracts by

developing a rigorous Emission Reduction

Purchase Agreement that addresses perfor-

mance risk and the clear and uncontested

transfer of offset ownership.

FiVE: Providing ongoing project oversight

through regular contact with developers and

work with third-party verifiers to evaluate

offset delivery, certification and registration.

The Climate Trust’s offsets have been judged

to be of exceptional quality. The Climate Trust

was rated among the top U.S. offset providers

by Clean Air Cool Planet in a report published

in December 2006.

More recently, The Climate Trust was named

second in a Carbon Concierge report ranking

of the 17 top North American carbon offset

providers. That’s why many, from regulated

utilities to state governments to businesses,

trust the experience, expertise and offsets

of The Climate Trust.

Oregon Convention Center exhibits smart thinking The Oregon Convention Center is a leader among its peers in envi-ronmental practices. Signing up for Smart Energy is another step toward sustainability.

“We were looking for carbon offset opportunities,” said Ryan Thorpe, Director of Operations. “Smart Energy is compelling and different.”

Investing in biogas development through Smart Energy is just the latest

step toward reducing the Convention Center’s carbon footprint. In 2004, the center earned a LEED designation in the Existing Building (EB) category. In 2008, it was the first facility to recertify at a higher rating: LEED-EB Silver.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is ad-ministered by the U.S. Green Building Council. The rating system addresses various components of building operations and system upgrades such as energy efficiency, recycling and improving indoor air quality.

Several green measures are included in the Oregon Convention Center’s standard level of service. They include seasonal locally grown food products, reusable china dishwear, condiments The Convention Center’s rain garden provides

beauty as well as ecological benefits, keeping rain water runoff out of the sewer systems and river.

In 2004, the center earned a LEED designation in the Existing Building (EB) category. In 2008, it was the first facility to recertify at a higher rating: LEED-EB Silver.

Conferences can recycle their waste at the Convention Center’s Sustainability Station.

Using biogas as transportation fuel could keep the equivalent of 580 million tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere each year.

nwnatural.com/smart

served in bulk containers, and food waste and biodegradable product composting.

“The Oregon Convention Center’s leadership holds the same values of caring for the community and environment as NW Natural,” said Gregg Kantor, President & CEO. “We are proud to be partnering with them in this innovative program.”

The overall goal, to collectively offset 3% of emissions from the natural gas consumed in Corvallis by both students and residents, is like taking 300 cars off the road for a year.

Congratulations! You are among more than 6,300 NW Natural customers who have signed up for Smart Energy. You have taken an important step in fighting climate change

by joining this program which offsets the car-bon dioxide associated with natural gas use.

During our first year, you and other Smart Energy participants offset 14,000 tons of carbon dioxide. That is the equivalent of reducing gasoline use by 1.4 million gallons. NW Natural was the first Smart Energy customer, pledging to offset all of the natural gas used to heat its facilities for the first five years of the program.

The funds raised through Smart Energy are helping bring biogas to the region. Biogas is created in biodigesters, which capture methane from animal waste and turn it into energy. Methane is a 21 times more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.


Biogas is coming, courtesy of 1,200 cows


Few companies

are on par with

Parr Lumber

when it comes

to protect-

ing the environment. In addition to being

a Smart Energy member, the company has

launched two major green initiatives of its

own. The Parr High Performance System

simplifies green building and helps

construct homes that are healthy, energy

efficient and environmentally sound.

Parr’s “Get Real” program identifies green

products in its stores that are made with

sustainable practices. Parr knows how

much the building industry affects the

environment and is doing all it can to

minimize the impact. That’s smart.

Parr builds environmental awareness

Turn your friends onto Smart Energy. If they

sign up, we’ll return the favor by sending you

a water-saving kit. It’s easy to install and has a

showerhead that feels like a full force shower.

Water heaters are one of the largest energy

users in your home. Help us add more Smart

Energy members and we’ll help you save

water, energy and money.

Offer valid January 1 — February 15, 2009

Protect the earth. Pass it on.

Program summary: Each one of us is responsible for carbon dioxide entering

the atmosphere — more than 16 metric tons for the average American during

one year. From the cars we drive to the lights in our homes to the heat in our

buildings, our everyday lives contribute to the creation of carbon dioxide and

other greenhouse gases.

While there’s no way to avoid these impacts completely, we can take steps to reduce our

“environmental footprint” by using energy efficiently. Smart Energy is a simple way to

reduce a portion of the greenhouse gases caused by energy use.

NW Natural has partnered with The Climate Trust, a Portland-based nonprofit

organization focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to provide customers

the opportunity to offset the CO2 emissions from their natural gas energy use for as

little as $6 a month. The Climate Trust will invest Smart Energy funds in clean-energy

projects right here in the West.

In exchange for their contribution, Smart Energy participants will have “carbon offsets”

retired on their behalf for greenhouse gases removed from the atmosphere.


prsrt stdus postage

paidportland or 97209

permit no 157nw natural 220 nw second avenue Portland, or 97209

Please join us in thanking our commercial partners for their commitment to fighting climate change by offsetting 100% of the emissions from their natural gas use.

Business PartnersGreater than 25,000 ThermsMiller Paint CompanyOregon Convention CenterPARR LumberUS Fish & Wildlife Service

1,001 - 25,000 ThermsADIAdvanced Machining, Inc.Black Sheep Bakery, Inc.Block 15 Brewing CompanyBuddhist Diahonzan HenjyojiCity of Portland – City HallConocoPhillipsEleek, Inc.Footwise, Inc.Growing Seeds NorthHawthorne Auto ClinicHawthorne Family MedicineIndustrial Machine ServicesInformation Management SolutionsInn at the GorgeLimbo FilmsMorgenthaler & Graham Inc.

Oregon Veterinary Medical GroupPet Etc.Portland Jazzercise Fitness CenterPortland Store FixturesSigns Now NWSpecialty Auto BodySteelab LLCSurplusGizmos.comThe JoineryTheta Chi FraternityUshio America, Inc.Wild Currant1,000 Therms or LessAirfilco, Inc.Alberta Cooperative GroceryAlpine CateringApple Inn Bed & BreakfastBeaumont Healthcare Clinic

Broadway Floral & GreenhouseCarole Meyer Photo, Inc.Corvallis Environmental CenterD Cochran Enterprises, Inc.Digital Vision, Inc”E. Z. Orchards Farm MarketECOpdxEvergreen DentalExcellence, Inc.Farley and Associates, Inc.Foster & Dobbs Authentic FoodsFoundation Garments, Inc.Friends of TreesHaystack Broadcasting, Inc.ImajenIntegrity Painting, Inc.IRM ForestryKen Doerfler Insurance, Inc.

2008 CIRCLE MEMBER

Khalsa Pain Relief ClinicMcClains Printmaking SuppliesNew ShoesOslund Design, Inc.Paul Henne TV & StereoPCH Cables, Inc.Ridgeway WoodworksRoger Wooley DMD, MSSoil SolutionsSpringwater JewelersThe Funky DoorThe Third Eye, Inc.The Veterinary HospitalTodd CleekTorgersen Design, Inc.U Pull it U SaveUp and Out, Inc.Urban Wellness GroupWinston Family Dental

2008 Smart Energy™ Circle Members

We thank you. The cows thank you. The world thanks you.

NW Natural is the first stand-alone natural gas utility in the United States to offer its customers a carbon offset program and does not profit from the sales of carbon offsets. The company is partnering with The Climate Trust, an internationally recognized leader in the carbon offset industry, to quantify, verify and retire each carbon offset.

Thank you for taking the lead in helping fight climate change and investing in a renewable future.

During our first year, you and other Smart

Energy participants offset 14,000 tons of

carbon dioxide… the equivalent of reducing

gasoline use by 1.4 million gallons.

NW Natural is partnering with a farmer and local environmental nonprofit to develop a biodigester pilot project in Board-man, Oregon. The project is funded by NW Natural, Smart Energy participants, and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

Construction at Threemile Canyon Farms is expected to begin in early 2009 and the digester should be fully operational by mid-March. Once ready, waste from 1,200 cows will be loaded into the digester and turned into biogas. Enough energy will be produced to re-place 70,000 gallons of propane. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will be reduced by 1,500 tons annually. An additional 200 tons of CO2 emissions will also be prevented from entering the atmosphere as a result of re-duced propane consumption.

“This project will demonstrate the role biodigesters can have in supporting farms, reducing

greenhouse gas emissions and pro-viding a renewable energy source,” said Gregg Kantor, President & CEO. “We are pleased to be working in partnership with two organizations that are committed to developing

a new, local renewable source of energy.”

Threemile Canyon Farms has the capacity to install as many as 12 additional biodigesters, which could capture more than 18,000 tons of CO2 each year. When developed to capacity, the biogas created from the biodigest-ers could run a gas chiller to cool milk, offset a neighbor’s fossil fuel use, or generate electricity.

“We are looking forward to adding green energy to our complement of sustainable farming practices,”

said Marty Myers, GM of Threemile Canyon Farms. “We operate a socially responsible farm and the biodigester project meshes with our vision and values.”

Threemile Canyon Farms blends dairy operations with crop grow-ing to create a closed-loop system that recycles nearly all of the farm’s waste. Innovative water, soil, habitat and wildlife conservation

practices have earned the farm recognition for its commitment to environmental sustainability.

The digester project will use a new, low-cost design that eliminates the need for high-priced

concrete or steel. The patented design was created by J-U-B ENGINEERS, Inc. of Kennewick, Washington and is ideal for large and small farms.

The innovative digester uses an enclosed container to trap gases. The bottom of the container, which looks like a lagoon, is lined with a barrier that is layered with automobile

tires. The honeycomb design created by the tires traps bacteria from the cow

manure and speeds the digestion process.

The digester will produce enough energy to

replace 70,000 gallons of propane and reduce

CO2 emissions by at least 1,500 tons annually.

Threemile Canyon Farms blends dairy operations with crop growing to create a closed-loop system that recycles nearly all of the farm’s waste.

Use Less — Offset the Rest

A mantra to live by — Use less, offset the rest Yes, carbon offsets help reduce carbon emissions. But, that is just one gear on the bike. To really move forward in reducing fossil fuel consumption we must start with energy efficiency.

NW Natural leads its peers in helping customers use less energy. In fact, the company has restructured its rates so that its profits aren’t tied to increasing the amount of gas it sells to customers. It’s a new business model for the future.

This rate strategy, which has been adopted by more than 25 other utilities across the United States, allows NW Natural to partner with Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) on energy efficiency programs. Together, NW Natural and the ETO saved enough therms in 2007 to heat 4,300 homes for a year.

Cool the burn of high utility bills with a free

home energy review. Energy efficiency is also

one of the easiest ways to reduce carbon

emissions. Contact the Energy Trust

of Oregon at www.energytrust.org.

Efficiency — get started today

Five little things that can add up to big savings:

Clean or replace• furnace filters monthly.

Turn down the thermostat• during the day and when you go to bed.

Insulate• hot water pipes in unheated areas.

Caulk • small holes and cracks around plumbing pipes, sink drains and under countertops.

Set your water heater• at 120 degrees.

c

Free water-saving kit is yours when you refer a new Smart Energy member. Just include your name on the form on the reverse side.


Miller Paint adds another coat of green

Miller Paint has been into green

long before joining the Smart

Energy program. Back in 1996

when green was just a color

choice, Miller removed all the

solvents from its top product

line. They simply thought it was

the wise thing to do. Since then,

the employee-owned company has steadily

reduced the use of solvents wherever

possible in all its products

and manufacturing process-

es. Now, as a Smart Energy

member, Miller is offsetting all

company emissions from

natural gas. They

recognized it

as another smart

thing to do. Like another

coat of green.

from the natural gas consumed in Corvallis. That’s like taking 300 cars off the road for a year. If Corvallis reaches its goal, NW Natural will host

a community celebration.

“What’s great about linking home energy audits and Smart Energy in this challenge is that it’s consistent with what we’re telling all our customers,” said Bill Edmonds, Director of Environmental Policy and Sustainability. “First, reduce what you can with

energy efficiency and then offset the rest with Smart Energy.”

The project is sponsored by Energy Trust of Oregon and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition (a network of organizations, businesses and citizens in Corvallis and Benton County

2008 Progress rePort to smart energy Partnersgetting smart

Coupon valid at Miller Paint Company owned stores only. No cash value. Expires 6/30/2009. Limit one coupon per transaction. Coupon must be surrendered at time of purchase. Valid for retail transactions only. NWNSE

Bring this coupon in to any of our company owned stores today to receive $10 o� your next purchase of paint and/or painting supplies totalling $50 or more! For a location

near you, go to www.millerpaint.com.

• Zero VOC’s• Solvent Free• Green Seal Certified

Smart Energy Residential Enrollment FormProtect the earth. Pass it on.

o Average Option — For $6 a month I want to offset all the carbon emissions of the average natural gas home (4 tons annually).

o Climate Neutral Option — For $0.1049 per therm I want to offset all the carbon emissions of my home’s natural gas use. (Total monthly charge will vary depending on actual gas usage.)

Name (as it appears on your NW Natural bill)

NW Natural Account Number

Address Apt. No

City State Zip

Phone Number

E-mail

Signature Date

Name of the Smart Energy customer who referred you, so they may receive a free water-saving kit. (Please print legibly.)

Visit: nwnatural.com/smart to sign up online and for answers to Smart Energy questionsMail to: NW Natural attn: Smart Energy 220 NW 2nd Avenue Portland, OR 97209

Call: 800.422.4012 to sign up by phone

The natural beauty of biogasRenewable gas is a versatile form of bioenergy. It can be used directly at the site of production, and in the future it could be sent to residential and commercial customers through natural gas pipelines.

In fact, biomass accounted for 3 to 4% of the total primary energy consumption in the European Union in 2001. Biogas is a mixture of methane and other gases produced from the decomposition of or-ganic materials. It is produced naturally in landfills and in decomposing animal waste, sewage and crop waste.

A 1998 U.S. Department of Energy study concluded that the renewable gas potential from these sources realistically could equal 10 billion gallons of gasoline a year. Using biogas as transportation fuel could keep the equivalent of 580 million tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere each year.

If used for power generation, gas from livestock manure could generate

STEP ONE STEP TWO STEP THREE

Waste captured processed into Biogas

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Benefit THECLIMATETRUST CUSTOMER

Smart Energy Program

A

B

C

D

FG

PIPELINE SYSTEME

Biodigester

enough electricity to meet up to 3% of North America’s consumption needs while significantly reducing green-house gas emissions, according to the Institute of Physics.

Biogas has other environmental ben-efits aside from reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The American Biogas Alliance has found that processing animal waste for energy instead of pooling it into open lagoons significantly reduces groundwater contamination and odor pollution.

NW Natural is leading efforts to develop a national quality standard for natural gas utilities to use biogas. Once this standard is set, NW Natural could add biogas to its system and deliver it to customers.

A. The typical cow produces 120 pounds of waste each day. Methane emitted from cow waste into the atmosphere is 21 times more potent than CO2.

B. The first step to turning cow manure into biogas is to trap it, halting the release of greenhouse gas emissions and improving water quality.

C. The manure can then be put into a ”biodigester“ — the technology used to turn it into clean, renewable biogas.

D. Biogas can be used to generate electricity.

E. Or treated and eventually added to a gas pipeline system and used in homes and businesses.

F. Smart Energy funds will go through NW Natural to The Climate Trust, which will purchase carbon offsets from the biogas project.

G. Customers participating in Smart Energy will have offsets retired for the emissions resulting from their natural gas use.

Smart Energy and Biogas — how it works

Quizz: What city has issued a challenge to its residents?(Hint – “Quizz” Rodgers is the local football star.)

Residents and businesses in Corvallis are teaming up to take on climate change. Go, Beavs, go! The community has mounted a yearlong campaign challenging its citizens, includ-ing students and renters, to increase their energy efficiency and use clean, renewable power. For starters, they are encouraged to get energy reviews that iden-tify energy-saving opportunities and assess the potential for solar projects.

The campaign also suggests that par-ticipants enroll in NW Natural’s Smart Energy program. It can make a big difference in reaching the overall goal: to collectively offset 3% of emissions

working together to accelerate sustainability in their communities).

Corvallis has other goals and projects in mind, including building community support for a 100-kilowatt solar electric system at Corvallis High School and

conducting solar assessments of the city’s aquatic center, senior center, library, and a public works building. The city is also participating in Oregon Association of Clean Water Agency’s study of how to move Oregon wastewater treatment plants to “best in class” in energy efficiency and 100% renewable power capacity within 10 years. Way to go, Corvallis.

“First, reduce what you can with

energy efficiency and then offset

the rest with Smart Energy.”

NOTE: If offset costs rise over time above the price built into the Smart Energy program, we will not adjust the participation fee, but the amount of offsets purchased could decrease.

World-class quality offsets

The Climate Trust, located

in Portland, Oregon,

provides high-quality

greenhouse gas offsets.

In fact, the nonprofit

organization is the first

provider in the nation of regulatory-grade

offsets and has a reputation for innovation

and integrity.

The Climate Trust pioneered and refined a

rigorous five-step process for evaluating,

selecting and overseeing the performance

of offset projects. The five steps are:

ONE: Evaluating offset quality by using

widely accepted offset evaluation criteria, the

most important of which is “additionality.” It is

essential that a developer prove that emission

reductions from a project are “in addition to”

reductions that would have occurred without

the incentive provided by offset funding.

TWO: Evaluating the offset project design

by performing due diligence on the project,

including monitoring, verification and offset

ownership.

ThREE: Applying rigorous quantification

procedures through the use of conservative

measurement methodologies and verification

of project performance by independent third-

party experts.

FOUR: Negotiating strong contracts by

developing a rigorous Emission Reduction

Purchase Agreement that addresses perfor-

mance risk and the clear and uncontested

transfer of offset ownership.

FiVE: Providing ongoing project oversight

through regular contact with developers and

work with third-party verifiers to evaluate

offset delivery, certification and registration.

The Climate Trust’s offsets have been judged

to be of exceptional quality. The Climate Trust

was rated among the top U.S. offset providers

by Clean Air Cool Planet in a report published

in December 2006.

More recently, The Climate Trust was named

second in a Carbon Concierge report ranking

of the 17 top North American carbon offset

providers. That’s why many, from regulated

utilities to state governments to businesses,

trust the experience, expertise and offsets

of The Climate Trust.

Oregon Convention Center exhibits smart thinking The Oregon Convention Center is a leader among its peers in envi-ronmental practices. Signing up for Smart Energy is another step toward sustainability.

“We were looking for carbon offset opportunities,” said Ryan Thorpe, Director of Operations. “Smart Energy is compelling and different.”

Investing in biogas development through Smart Energy is just the latest

step toward reducing the Convention Center’s carbon footprint. In 2004, the center earned a LEED designation in the Existing Building (EB) category. In 2008, it was the first facility to recertify at a higher rating: LEED-EB Silver.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is ad-ministered by the U.S. Green Building Council. The rating system addresses various components of building operations and system upgrades such as energy efficiency, recycling and improving indoor air quality.

Several green measures are included in the Oregon Convention Center’s standard level of service. They include seasonal locally grown food products, reusable china dishwear, condiments The Convention Center’s rain garden provides

beauty as well as ecological benefits, keeping rain water runoff out of the sewer systems and river.

In 2004, the center earned a LEED designation in the Existing Building (EB) category. In 2008, it was the first facility to recertify at a higher rating: LEED-EB Silver.

Conferences can recycle their waste at the Convention Center’s Sustainability Station.

Using biogas as transportation fuel could keep the equivalent of 580 million tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere each year.

nwnatural.com/smart

served in bulk containers, and food waste and biodegradable product composting.

“The Oregon Convention Center’s leadership holds the same values of caring for the community and environment as NW Natural,” said Gregg Kantor, President & CEO. “We are proud to be partnering with them in this innovative program.”

The overall goal, to collectively offset 3% of emissions from the natural gas consumed in Corvallis by both students and residents, is like taking 300 cars off the road for a year.

miller paint adds another coat of green getting smart us ...€¦ · capture methane from animal...

Documents