Workshop focuses on energy

8:15, Oregon Department of Energy

9:15, Northern Wasco County PUD

10:15, Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency

11, Restore Oregon

1 p.m., Energy Trust of Oregon

2, field visits

Energy and energy efficiency in commercial and residential buildings will be the topic of discussion at the All About Energy Forum Monday, Sept. 22, at The Dalles Civic Auditorium.

The forum is put on by The Dalles Main Street and runs from 8 a.m. until around 3 p.m.

“The energy workshop is an idea that come from one of our volunteers and discussions we’ve had with the port,” said Matthew Klebes, The Dalles Main Street executive director.

The event coalesced around a visit from Roger Kainu, an energy analyst with the Oregon Department of Energy.

“He’ll talk about Gov. Kitzhaber’s 10-year action plan, mission and the role of the Department of Energy, energy code changes and tax credit programs,” Klebes said.

Representatives from local agencies including the Northern Wasco County PUD and Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency will talk about their programs related to building improvements and energy conservation.

“We wanted to bring in organizations from around the area and also those from outside the area that have some additional resources and kind of a macro perspective,” Klebes said.

Restore Oregon, a regular presenter at Main Street events around the state, will present information related to restoration and rehabilitation of old buildings.

The Energy Trust of Oregon will look at different incentives and programs available to certain power consumers. The organization will also lead some field visits including one at The Dalles Civic and one at the Gary Honald building downtown to look at real-world old buildings and where incentives may apply.

Residential vertical redevelopment is one of the topics in current discussion at Main Street, the City of The Dalles and with downtown property owners.

“We’ll be informing property owners what kind of tools assistance are available to make that kind of vertical improvement a lot more likely,” Klebes said.

The event is organized with schedule flexibility in mind, he noted. Time will be allowed in between presentations to ask questions or for people to drop in or out of individual presentations (see schedule sidebar).

“You don’t have to come for all of them all day,” Klebes said.

A $5 donation to benefit the nonprofit The Dalles Main Street is requested.