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Monday, March 18, 2024
March 18, 2024

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Energy Adviser: Need to talk? Energy advice comes to you

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Energy talks by Clark Public Utilities have grown from about four to more than 20 a year in the last decade. Requests now come in regularly from churches, Clark College, fraternal organizations, the Rotary Club, Fort Vancouver Regional Library, Clark County Rental Association, AARP and neighborhood associations, inviting a utility energy counselor to come share tips for reducing wasted energy and lowering energy bills. The list is long enough now that the utility presents a couple of these talks every month.

“We can provide a general energy talk or give a presentation on any energy topic that might interest an organization,” said DuWayne Dunham, energy services supervisor at Clark Public Utilities. “Some organizations plan months ahead for presentations. Others contact us with less notice, but we do our best to schedule them all.”

In the past, the utility gave talks four times a year at its downtown location on Fort Vancouver Way. “This meant customers had to come to us,” Dunham said. “As we looked at how to be an even better resource to our customers, we decided going on location to neighborhood groups and other organizations around the area would be easier for them. It gives us a chance to provide even more tailored information as well.”

Clark Public Utility speakers adapt their presentations to the needs of the audience. They can address residential energy-saving tips, incentive programs, small-business conservation advice, renewable energy, water conservation or solar energy, as well as explain no cost or low-cost ways to save energy.

English as a Second Language courses at Clark College have been a great forum for spreading energy conservation ideas as well. “Our county has many residents who don’t speak English confidently, and that can make them feel uneasy calling our energy counselor hotline,” said Dunham. “The class environment seems to foster better conversation because the instructors expect students to talk and can help facilitate the discussion.”

Some organizations ask for presentations every year. The Clark County Rental Association, a nonprofit, works to improve the quality and operation of the rental business in Southwest Washington. Each year one of the energy counselors shows property owners and managers how to save on energy costs and reduce expenses for tenants. Improving energy efficiency can often improve comfort as well.

Specializing in areas

Each energy counselor works a specific area. Dunham said he usually presents to East County, while two other counselors handle the north county and downtown Vancouver. Because they have territories, the counselors know these areas often have different energy requirements. For example, Camas, Hockinson and Hough each have different ages and styles of homes and likely different energy issues that the customers who live in the neighborhood might want to explore.

Speakers can bring a laptop and projector. Often, organizations requesting the energy talk will provide the needed equipment. Still, sometimes they forget or there are technical glitches and the presenter must make the best of the situation. Always prepared, the energy counselors come armed with handouts just in case. The speaker will also have informative materials on hand for customers who want to learn more, and can help attendees schedule an in-home energy review if they have more questions.

On its community Web page, the utility offers several community outreach programs, including talks and school tours on electricity, salmon and water conservation. To book a speaker, visit the Clark Public Utilities Web page at www.clarkpublicutilities.com/index.cfm/community-involvement/speakers-bureau. Or call 360-992-3268 about two weeks before your time slot — more time is always better.


 

Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.

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