MPower Oregon

Let's be blunt for a moment here: Politics is feeling more than a bit brutal. But on the home front, there are points of hopefulness and light. Enjoy one of them: Our interview with 's Jes Larson, available in written and audio formats. It's a fascinating look at the recent Affordable Housing Bond and a hint as to what the future may bring the Metro region!

Interview with Welcome Home Coalition’s Jes Larson - MPower Oregon Read our interview with one of the author's of Portland's successful Affordable Housing Bill.

In our work facilitating sustainability and efficiency upgrades in affordable housing, MPower gets to interact with some truly amazing people! We wish we could you tell ALL of their stories, but here’s a taste of the sort of compassion we get to experience on a daily basis.

The Site Visit - MPower Oregon As we look further ahead into 2017, we want to give thanks for one of the often-hidden aspects of our work: Human contact. Much of our work here at MPower Oregon is both highly technical and—seemingly— impersonal: Researching the relative efficiencies of building materials, budgeting the efficient u...

When science and politics mix: In 2015, Energy Star saved Americans over $34 billion. So...why is the Administration fighting to cut the program?

The Energy Star Program Saves Americans Billions. So, Why Cut It? Evidently, President Trump and his environmental protection chief Scott Pruitt are just getting warmed up.Now they’ve set their sights on one of the most successful and noncontroversial energy-related programs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ever managed – Energy Star, a program tha

Make no mistake: These examples of willful ignorance are difficult to read. But if you're energized by causes and , take heart. There is mounting proof that by and large, the marketplace "gets" clean energy, and that it's here to stay.

EPA: White House plans to 'close out' Energy Star, other programs A preliminary budget proposal from the White House would eliminate federal leadership of Energy Star, a popular voluntary program for companies to seek labels for energy-efficient consumer products and appliances.

Hey Portlanders! If affordable housing isn't on your radar, perhaps it should be.... Can you guess the five neighborhoods where 50% of renter households spend more than 50% of their income on rent?

13 severely rent-burdened neighborhoods in the Portland area Nearly 1 in 4 Portland-area households spend at least half their income on rent -- far more than what's considered affordable. Here are 13 neighborhoods with the largest concentrations of those households.

Did you know the built environment creates over 40% of total carbon emissions? Find out how can save cities...and a whole lot more.

How Green Buildings Could Save Our Cities As we become a more urban society, the number of buildings will rise. Here's why that may be a good thing.

Some light weekend reading for your perusal: This new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition shows why investments boost economic mobility, reduce , and improve health outcomes. So...why is it so chronically underfunded?

CHCDF: National Low Income Housing Coalition The Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF) is an education, strategy and action hub for national organizations dedicated to adequate federal housing and community development funding for lower

and neighborhood unite in a very response to . Way to go, Kenton!

Tiny house village for homeless women approved by Kenton neighborhood The neighborhood association voted 178 to 75 in favor of a village of 14 tiny houses for homeless women. It is the first one initiated by the city.

Outlook dire? Not so fast, we say: Building into will continue no matter what. Here are some ways small actions are adding up to larger changes for the good!

Goodbye 2016! - MPower Oregon With 2017 still reasonably fresh, a quick survey of our colleagues and peers reveals an unusual unanimity: 2016 was not a great—or even a good—year. Many people are referencing the presidential election, an emotionally charged and historic event by any standards. Given this country’s two-party dicho...

Need some tonic for the troops? A former Obama staffer talks about how to keep the ball rolling. Good, important, and actionable information contained here!

How to push climate action forward in the Trump era Lessons learned from working in the Obama administration will still be critical during the next four years.

Swamped in ? Dig deeper and you'll find encouragement, like this story on how and is outstripping in Texas, of all places:

Wind Pays More Than Oil in Lone Star State These two stories illustrate the precarious nature of fossil fuel jobs and the economic power of renewable energy.