We’ll admit, the first time we heard about hypermiling we got extreme stories like drivers pushing their cars out of the driveway before starting the motor, leaping into the driver’s seat just in time. So we let the hypermilers keep their super heroic driving tactics; it just wasn’t worth running ourselves over.

Turns out we were wrong; hypermiling is much more simple and conventional. In essence, hypermiling is taking the aggression out of your driving habits. By doing so, you can improve gas mileage 35%. There’s nothing earth shaking, or even remotely inconvenient, about hypermiling. It’s just smarter, common sense driving. Here are some ways you can squeeze more miles out of your car:

Use cruise control on the highway. Accelerating and decelerating when there are no traffic lights to speak of just unnecessarily burns gas.

The University of Portland has become the first college on the West coast to put an end to bottled water sales. Last year UP sold 53,000 bottles of water, more than 1,000 a week. 24 college campuses nationwide including Harvard, have instituted bottled water bans. As of late, bottled water has been receiving a lot of criticism for the amount of resources it consumes to make and the amount of waste it leaves in its wake.

There are quite a few questions out there about how solar power works in Portland. Some people fear our rainy days makes a solar powered home here non-viable. To clear up the myths and misconceptions, the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Energy Trust of Oregon, Solar Oregon and the Oregon Department of Energy working together to provide anwsers to solar power FAQ's:

Q: Does solar work in Portland?

A: Yes. Despite our rainy winters, Portland receives as much solar energy annually as the average U.S. city. Solar is Oregon’s most abundant renewable energy resource. More than 17,000 Oregon households have solar energy systems.

Q: What is a solar energy system?

"ONE PEACE AT A TIME IS AN INSPIRATIONAL FILM FILLED WITH HOPE AND DETERMINATION AND IT LIFTS THE SPIRIT AS WELL AS MOTIVATES"

Hey, it’s MOVIE TALK W/ [1THING]. Actually we don’t have a MOVIE TALK segment, but we came along this film we thought you might want to know about.

The City of Portland is seeking participants to take part in a home energy efficiency pilot program. 300 homes are needed for this project which seeks to help residents overcome financial obstacles so they can quickly and easily reduce their energy costs and protect the environment.

Cost has long been an obstacle for home owners looking to make energy efficient home improvements. This unique pilot program is designed to help homeowners improve the value of their homes in a real estate market that values green upgrades, with no initial cash outlay.

From the city’s press release:

Through a low-cost financing arrangement, homeowners pay for the improvements over 20 years on their utility bill. In certain cases, energy savings from the improvements could cover the cost of the loan payment.

Qualifying projects include:
• Basic weatherization, including insulation, air sealing and duct sealing
• Space heating, including high-efficiency heat pumps
• Hot water heating

When you think of the term “Green Home” you might think “costs more.” In truth, we are on the threshold of an exciting new movement toward getting more people into green homes that are healthier, more comfortable and actually save you money over standard constructed homes.
 

Legend Homes, a local builder, is currently leading the pack with their EarthSmart homes at the Edgewater community in King City. First off, EarthSmart homes are very competitive in terms of price, with new homes started at under $300k. But what are the advantages of an Earth Smart home? Is it healthier and more comfortable? Will it save you money? Yes, yes and yes.

Here are just some of the features that come with Earth Smart homes:

A whole house ventilation and filtration system to keep the air you and your family breathe healthier.

BPA: Bisphenol A. It’s found in baby bottles and Sippy cups, yet according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration there is "concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children."

Canada has already banned BPA; now Oregonians want it out as well.

Repurposing your stuff doesn’t just save waste; it’s stylish and makes you look like a MacGyver-ish genius, sans the mullet (unless you’re into that kind of thing). Here are some of our favorite ideas.

Twister Mat – Kid’s Table Cloth

Fun for birthday parties.

Toothbrush – Corn Husk Remover

‘Cause picking those strings out by hand sucks.

The average American uses about 40 pounds of toxic cleaning products every year. Interested in making your own green cleaners at home and want to learn how? Detoxify your home and save money by making non-toxic cleaners for kitchen and bath. Participants will leave with lots of tips and techniques and their own laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner and creamy soft scrub.

Hosted by Oregon Center for Environmental Health

Saturday, March 20th

10am-Noon

Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members

Portland, OR 97213

Oregon Center for Environmental Health

jason@oregon-health.org