GRANTS FOR INNOVATIVE GREEN BUILDING PROJECTS AVAILABLE FROM CITY OF PORTLAND OFFICE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Contact: Stephanie Swanson, OSD, 503-823-7109
Brendan Finn, Commissioner Saltzman’s Office, 503-823-3110
Portland, Oregon - What do technology enabling a local coffee roaster to redistribute and use excess energy and heat from the energy-intensive coffee roasting process, a floating home that uses almost no energy from the grid, and a 14-unit townhome project with a “daylighted” creek have in common?
These are just a few of the dozens of innovative green building projects that have received a total of over $2 million in funding from the City of Portland’s Green Investment Fund (GIF) in the last five years. Today, City of Portland Commissioner Dan Saltzman announced that the Office of Sustainable Development is accepting applications for the next round of funding from this competitive grant program.
“The Green Investment Fund has supported outstanding projects in the past, and I look forward to seeing proposals that really push the limits of what is possible to grow local sustainable industry,” said Commissioner Saltzman.
A total of $425,000 is available in the current round of funding. The maximum grant amount available for any one project is $225,000. Industrial, residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects are eligible and public and private organizations may apply. A pre-application conference is scheduled for December 14, 2006 and proposals are due February 1, 2007. The pre-application conference will take place at 6 p.m. at the Ecotrust Building's 2nd Floor conference space, 721 NW 9th Avenue, Portland.
The Green Investment Fund encourages innovation in waste and toxins reduction, water conservation, on-site stormwater management and reuse, energy conservation and on-site renewable energy. The current round of grants encourages, but is not limited to, comprehensive green building projects in conceptual or early pre-design phase.
“The Fund’s intent is to encourage builders and developers to explore innovative technologies in the early phase of the building process to ensure the adoption of high-performance green practices,” noted Saltzman.
The GIF is a partnership between the City of Portland ’s Office of Sustainable Development, Water Bureau, Bureau of Environmental Services and the Energy Trust of Oregon.
To review past GIF projects and to download the current grant application, visit: www.PortlandOnline.com/OSD/G-Rated
Green Investment Fund Partners:
The City of Portland Officeof Sustainable Development (OSD) brings together community partners to promote a healthy and prosperous future for Portland. OSD promotes innovation and encourages public engagement in energy efficiency and renewable energy, biofuels, waste reduction and recycling, green building, sustainable economic development and sustainable food systems. For more information on OSD programs, visit www.sustainableportland.org.
The City of Portland Water Bureau: Forest to faucet, the Water Bureau delivers the best drinking water in the world to nearly 800,000 people in the metropolitan area. In addition to protecting public health, the Bureau's mission includes stewardship of critical infrastructure, fiscal and natural resources. www.portlandonline.com/water
Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to changing how Oregonians use energy by promoting energy efficiency and clean renewable energy for Oregon customers of Pacific Power, Portland General Electric and NW Natural. www.energytrust.org
City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services protects public health, water quality and the environment through pollution prevention services, engineering solutions for combined sewer overflows, watershed planning and restoration, wastewater collection and treatment, sewer installation and repair, and stormwater management. www.portlandonline.com/bes