Klamath County residents work closely with Energy Trust and Pacific Power to save energy in their homes and businesses, and generate renewable power. Here are highlights of their activities with Energy Trust since 2002:

• Commercial and industrial businesses received more than $5.5 million in incentives to install energy-saving upgrades that have saved approximately 42 million kWh of electricity. Many agricultural projects include sprinkler and pump upgrades that provide benefits for farmers and irrigators. Trade ally contractor J.W. Kerns has been encouraging customers to choose energy-efficient sprinklers and flood irrigation equipment that save water and lower energy costs.

• Clean power is generated by 58 renewable energy systems installed throughout the county, including 35 residential solar electric systems, a hydropower project and a geothermal system at the Oregon Institute of Technology.

• Students are also getting a better look at their class work thanks to lighting upgrades last year in the Klamath County School District that replaced outdated, inefficient lights with energy-efficient lights at Brixner Jr. High, Chiloquin Elementary and Lost River Jr./Sr. High School. Read more about the school upgrades. Additional energy-efficiency upgrades may be made to other schools as they are renovated with funding from the recently passed Klamath County school bond.

“We work closely with Energy Trust to make Pacific Power customers aware of opportunities to save energy and money in their homes, businesses and public buildings” said Angela Price, regional community manager, Pacific Power. “We encourage customers to take advantage of Energy Trust services and cash incentives, because saving energy and generating renewable power is good for families, good for business and good for the community.”

Together, the energy actions taken by Klamath County residents and businesses saved $3.3 million on their energy bills last year. These dollars are now available for other needs, creating more economic benefit for the county. Klamath County businesses benefit, too. More than 50 trade ally contractors with offices in the county help their customers complete upgrades, access Energy Trust cash incentives and benefit from immediate and ongoing energy savings.