Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Eugene Solar & Green Building Tour

Sunday, October 4 - 11:00AM to 4:00 PM

The City of Eugene and the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) will host an extensive solar and green building tour in Eugene on Sunday, October 4 from 11AM to 4 PM as part of the world's largest grassroots solar event. The Solar & Green Building Tour offers participants the opportunity to tour eight sites spanning from Crescent Village in North Eugene to Crescent Ridge in the South Hills. The tour will highlight how solar energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable approaches can reduce monthly utility bills and help tackle climate change. It will showcase a variety of building types, technologies and local firms. Two projects are LEED Platinum certified, the highest rating by the U.S. Green Building Council, and several are Earth Advantage certified. The tour will include new construction, residential remodels, a "mother-in-law cottage" infill unit, mixed-use, and affordable projects.

Eugene's green building and solar tour is part of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) National Solar Tour where over 150,000 people in 3,000 communities will participate in open house tours of solar powered and energy efficient homes (http://www.nationalsolartour.org/). Attendees will be able to explore green buildings first hand and talk directly with the builders, solar contractors and homeowners. Lane Community College (LCC) will also introduce its new solar/electric vehicle charging station project.

The tour will begin at 11:00 AM at EWEB, 500 East 4th Avenue, with a kick-off presentation by Mayor Kitty Piercy. Self-guided tours will include eight sites in areas throughout the city. To minimize driving times, participants will choose from a 'north loop' or 'south loop' each having four different buildings. A biking tour of 3 central sites is another option.

A reception at La Perla Pizzeria, 1313 Pearl Street, will be held at the end of the tour, around 4 PM.

To participate, please register at SolarTour@eweb.org. $5 suggested donation per party.

For more information contact Jenna Garmon at Jenna.R.Garmon@ci.eugene.or.us or 541-682-5541.

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