EV Charging Station Opens on NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd

Posted on by

From PDC:

On Wednesday, June 8, at noon, the Portland Development Commission (PDC) will unveil a new electric vehicle charging station and solar canopy on a PDC-owned parking lot at 3620 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The grid-tied solar canopy, one of only two of its kind in Portland, was constructed by EV4 Oregon, which markets it as an Energy Transfer Merchant (ETM™); it is owned by Lease It Inc. The canopy was built locally, using photovoltaic panels manufactured by Hillsboro-based SolarWorld, and is available from North Coast Electric in Portland.

The canopy has two Ecotality Blink Level-2 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations available for community use, with the capacity to fully charge six electric vehicles per day. The Blink commercial locations form a critical component of the charging public infrastructure to be developed by Ecotality as project manager of the EV Project.

“This project exemplifies innovative work that creates local green jobs and at the same time, enhances the community and reinforces our support for neighborhood economic development (pdf),” said Mayor Sam Adams. “It joins nearby businesses Yeebo and Conexiones, recent PDC clients, in demonstrating our ongoing commitment to neighborhood investment.”

William P. Emberlin, president of Lease-It Inc., expressed his enthusiasm to be a part of the progressive move toward renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest. “This solar canopy/charging station makes an important contribution to reduced oil consumption without adding additional stress to the electrical grid,” he said. “As a local business person I consider ownership of an ETM™ a good investment, and I hope to add more locations throughout Oregon and Washington.”

The installation represents the continued deployment of the charging station infrastructure necessary to support the continued roll out of electric vehicles. The charging station will be able to service cars such as the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan LEAF and a variety of electric vehicles under development by Drive Oregon companies.

For further information on Portland’s progressive EV strategy, please visit the city’s electric vehicle website, Chargeportland.com, powered by PDC.

FoLT Seeks Volunteers

Posted on by

From Friends of Last Thursday:

Friends of Last Thursday (FoLT) is seeking more Friends!

In our effort to lift much of the responsibility for Last Thursday from city shoulders, we need friendly volunteers to help manage the event.

FoLT has several Ambassador positions available now. Ambassadors are the face of LT. They will promote awareness and outreach to artists and visitors during the event and provide a buffer between participants and outside city and county agencies. Roaming the streets in colorful hats and vests, Ambassadors play a vibrant role in ensuring a fun & safe LT.
Continue reading →

KNA Cleanup a Success

Posted on by

So here’s the wrap-up:

  • Total proceeds = $666.44 ($750 collected less total expenses $83.56)
  • 3 dumpsters of mixed waste = 6.73 tons
  • 460 lbs or approx a quarter ton of scrap metal
  • approx a half ton of electronics
  • 10 linear feet of Styrofoam
  • approx. a quarter ton of donated clothing and household items

17 volunteers helped out and approximately 60 households were served

A special thanks to: Loaves and Fishes, Metro, Cloudburst, Metro Metals, Far West Fibers, Total Reclaim, Reflections Coffee (donated coffee for volunteers) Goodwill, Portland Police Bureau, North Precinct and all who donated their time on Saturday!

International Plastic Quilt Project-Opening Reception

Posted on by

From Create Plenty: Student-Led Solutions to Single-Use Plastic!

Please view & Share the Postcard

Sat, June 11, 4-9 PM
Zoomtopia, 810 SE Belmont St
On display thru June 2011 by appointment

Help us celebrate the 9th exhibit of single-use plastic as art! In order to grow awareness and create innovative local solutions to waste, its International Plastic Quilt Project (once called Leave No Plastic Behind) is a traveling exhibit of artwork made by people reducing their “plastic footprint”. For this exhibit, over 200 student participants set aside the plastic they obtained over a period of time to help them think about alternative possibilities to the steady stream of plastic waste coming out of their schools and homes. Out of this came their creative 12×12″ contributions to the Quilt Project.

Sponsored by Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods—dedicated to the livability of inner North and Northeast Portland, the NECN is an independent 501 c 3. necoaltion.org