Author Archives: Thad Curtz

B5. Sustainable Energy Utility Create municipal utility that just provides renewable energy, without buying out PSE. Ann Arbor residents approved a measure on the November 2024 ballot to authorize creating a municipal sustainable energy utility. (It passed with 79% of … Continue reading →

T5._Electric micro-mobility Electrify bikes, scooters, skateboards, cargo bikes, etc. Endless-Sphere.com is a huge forum for sharing information about do-it-yourself projects to electrify bicycles and other personal transportation devices.

T5._Personal transportation emissions carbon trading Lahti, Finland has developed a smartphone app that tracks and reports the emissions transportation modes someone is using. It provides an easy way to see the results of changing your transportation habits, and rewards people … Continue reading →

A5.3 Long-rotation timber Lengthen the rotation of timber harvesting in Thurston County. Sightline did a detailed four part series about the potential of this strategy, the difficulties in implementing it, and some possible solutions.

B5._Solar on vehicles Worksport makes solar tonneau covers for the beds of pickup trucks. They have an accompanying storage system.

F3.3 Community orchards The Orchard Project is a national charity dedicated to the creation, restoration and celebration of community orchards. Its goal is for every household in the UK’s towns and cities to be within walking distance of a productive, … Continue reading →

B5._Solar shingles Solar attaching directly to the roof deck and doubling as roofing. GAF makes two versions of these solar roofing panels. United Solar Systems makes solar shingles and standing seam panels. Tesla also has a solar roofing product.

B6. _ Community Electrification Projects Neighborhood and community organizations supporting electrification Electrify PDX is a volunteer group helping people develop electrification plans, and creating a community network to share tips, lessons and resources. (They also provide yard signs for homes … Continue reading →

B5._ Use volunteers to reduce solar and heat pump hot water installation costs SunWork trains volunteers to do much of the non-technical work for rooftop solar installations, reducing project costs by up to 30%. They have recently started a similar … Continue reading →

B7._ Energy Concierge Service Provide independent sophisticated detailed advice on investments in energy efficiency and electrification for homeowners, landlords, and commercial building owners. (See also One Stop Shops for Retrofits.) QuitCarbon does free Zoom consultations with owners of single family … Continue reading →