Clean Energy Works | Green Power Challenge | Energy Efficiency & Conservation | Sustainable Transportation Options

Clean Energy Works Oregon makes energy efficiency convenient

The City of Hillsboro has partnered with Clean Energy Works Oregon to provide Hillsboro citizens with additional incentives to weatherize your home.

If you are a homeowner thinking about improving the comfort of your home, Clean Energy Works Oregon (CEWO) can help. The statewide non-profit makes home energy remodels easy and affordable. All qualified applicants receive a free comprehensive home energy assessment, a $300 to $500 value.

• Homeowners can install upgrades such as insulation, duct sealing, windows, high efficiency heat pumps, furnaces and tankless hot water heaters
• Instant cash rebates are available
• No-money down financing can be repaid on the home's monthly heating utility bill
• A convenient, simple and cost-effective way to improve your home's comfort and value

Special Hillsboro discounts: The first 50 Hillsboro upgrades will receive additional rebates up to $500, making up to $2,000 in total rebates available.
For information and to apply: Visit cewo.org or call toll free (855) 870-0049.
Instant rebate code: When applying, enter Hillsboro's code "LGHIL" to receive your rebates.
Eligibility: To learn if your home is eligible, see www.cleanenergyworksoregon.org/eligibility/

Green Power Community Challenge

Hillsboro challenges the community to purchase renewable energy.

In March 2010, in collaboration with the Greater Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce and PGE, the City Council issued a challenge to city residents and businesses to increase their purchase of green power through PGE's Clean Wind program. The Proclamation set a goal of 300 new renewable power sign ups by the end of the 3 month Challenge in June 30, 2010. Hillsboro residents and businesses responded by more than doubling the goal with 731 new sign ups! A large number of Hillsboro businesses contributed to the total with 51 new business sign ups.

With the successful Challenge the City was also recognized as a Green Power Community by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).. An ongoing Green Power Community Challenge will recognize the community that further increases its green power purchases in 2013. Make your commitment today to purchase green power through PGE.

Energy Efficiency & Conservation

In Oregon, incentives are provided for citizens and businesses to improve the efficiency of their homes and businesses. The Energy Trust of Oregon utilizes a fee we all pay to reduce the cost of home and business energy efficiency measures, making it easier to improve the comfort and value of your home or business, while reducing your energy bills.

Visit Portland General Electric's website for home energy saving information, special offers and incentives.

Energy Assistance

Community Action, a local non-profit organization, assists low-income households with their heating and electricity costs.

Sustainable Transportation Options

Alternative Transportation Methods

Westside Transportation Alliance – the WTA offers workplace services and programs that help employees commute to work by transit, carpool, vanpool, walking and biking.

BIKE

The State's first Bikestation facility opened in October 2010 at the Hillsboro Intermodal Transit Facility (ITF) in downtown Hillsboro. Bikestation Hillsboro, at NE Baseline and 8th Avenue adjacent to the MAX downtown, provides a card-accessible, secure facility with 40 bike parking spaces and men's and women's showers and lockers. For employees based in the downtown area, this facility provides an excellent opportunity for commuting by bicycle. For more information, contact the City Facilities and Fleet Department at 503-681-4000 or visit Bikestation Hillsboro.

Interested in biking but not sure about the rules of the road?  Check out the Oregon Bicyclist Manual, produced by Oregon Department of Transportation.  It has all kinds of safety information and diagrams for how to ride with confidence.

Bicycle routes for the Hillsboro area are available through www.mapmyride.com. There are routes for commuting and cycling for pleasure.

Also check out Metro's Bike There! Map: it has an extensive bike map of Portland as well as nine other bike maps of the metro area.  It includes one for Hillsboro to Forest Grove.  This map is available for $6 online, by calling 503-797-1500, or at various locations around the metro area.  It is available at Trail Head Cycles, 5755 NW Cornelius Pass Road in Hillsboro.

¡Vámonos! Bilingual maps are available for free at the City of Hillsboro offices or download the PDF version here.

Bike helmets save lives and have been shown to reduce serious head injuries by as much as 85%. Also keep in mind that a helmet is required by law for riders 16 and younger. For information about helmets and much more, visit the Bicycle Transportation Alliance website.

WALK

Metro also has a Walk There! book which includes many walking maps.  The book is available for $9.95 online and in bookstores.  Every Walk There! route begins and ends near a bus or MAX stop.  Some walking maps are also available as PDFs online.  Check out the Hillsboro Downtown (2.4 miles), Rock Creek Trail (3.2 miles), and Orenco and Orenco Station (2.2 miles) walks. These walks are not necessarily commuting guides, but they are fun, informative, and a great way to get some exercise!

CARPOOL & VANPOOL

Drive Less Connect is a car pool and rideshare matching site serving Oregon and SW Washington. For additional information or to join a carpool visit www.drivelesssavemore.com.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

There are many public transportation options to get to where you need to go in Hillsboro. The MAX (Metropolitan Area Express) light rail system stops one block from the Civic Center and other public buildings. The WES (Westside Express Service) commuter rail line runs Monday through Friday during peak travel times and connects to the Blue Line MAX at Beaverton Transit Center. The WES extends all the way to Tualatin for those commuting into Hillsboro from the south. For additional information and to plan your next trip visit the TriMet Trip Planner at trimet.org.

Cherriots is the Salem-Keizer transit authority – www.cherriots.org provides information for making the connection between the WES, which goes all the way to Wilsonville, and Salem.  This can be very useful for those who commute to Salem and thought they had to drive!

Do you commute to Vancouver? Avoid the traffic jam by taking CTRAN, the transit system in the Vancouver, Washington area. www.c-tran.com

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