We are a coalition of local organizations and individuals working to address climate change in Bend and the broader region by promoting the shift to clean energy and community electrification. Transitioning to clean energy will improve public health, fuel local economic growth, create good jobs, provide affordable energy to residents, and ensure a livable planet.
We believe we can make far more progress by working together collaboratively with many nonprofits, businesses, civic organizations, faith organizations and local leaders. If your organization would like to join us or learn more about the Energize Bend coalition, please submit your info here.
Click here to join the movement and make a pledge to electrify!
Click here to stay up to date on our projects and campaigns!
Current Projects
We are launching a city-wide “Solarize” campaign. Solarize is a community-based outreach initiative that reduces the cost and complexity of going solar by providing a one-stop shop for education and installation. This is a well-documented and tested model for increasing solar participation and we are excited to bring it to Bend.
We will be partnering with The Environmental Center as well as Envision Bend who identified Solarize as one of the components in their Vision Action Plan, which was the result of 15 months of community engagement and is supported by a large collection of businesses and civic organizations. The City of Bend’s Community Climate Action Plan also identifies expanding distributed solar as a key strategy to achieving their climate action goals and is supporting this solarize effort.
Volunteers Needed!
We are actively recruiting volunteers to get involved in this campaign. We need people that can help with three functions 1) operations 2) outreach and marketing 3) RFP/contractor engagement. Please reach out to lauren@energizebend.org to get involved.
We are providing basic education, installation support and helping residents find discounts, tax credits and rebates for upgrading to high-efficiency electric heat pump water heaters.
Installation Volunteers Needed!
We’re looking for a few volunteers who want to learn how to help people with DIY water heater installations. We have a local expert on our team who is inviting our volunteers to observe and participate in DIY installations of heat pump water heaters in local homes in Bend.
Ready to replace your water heater?
If your water heater is approaching 10 years old, it’s time to think about replacing and upgrading it. We are looking for volunteers who want to replace their water heaters and are open to a DIY installation with support from Energize bend volunteers to eliminate installation costs.
Email kristi@energizebend.org to let us know you are ready to replace your water heater or if you would like to support DIY installations.
The Bend Electrification Campaign (BEC) is advocating to the Bend City Council for faster action on clean energy and building electrification to promote public health, affordable energy, good jobs, and a livable planet. Specifically, we are urging action in these four areas:
The coalition includes: Fridays for Future Bend, Deschutes Youth Climate Coalition, Energize Bend, The Environmental Center, Citizens Climate Lobby, among others.
Visit the Bend Electrification Campaign website here.
Are you or your organization interested in joining our coalition? Reach out to our Coalition Coordinator at satya@energizebend.org or fill out our brief interest form here.
