Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: TVCC requested funds to address the issue of agriculture-based renewable energy. The College indicated that they would sponsor a regional Agriculture-based Renewable Energy Summit and five follow-up meetings with broad-based representation from agriculture related businesses agencies and education. The purpose was to gather data and develop a formal workforce development plan. The plan was to Identify current agricultural renewable energy practices Identify new or expanded renewable energy practices planned in the next 3-5 years Identify workforce skills related to renewable energy that are needed in agricultural employers Identify where the workforces skills are taught in current programs, where program revisions could incorporate these skills or where new programs and/or resources are needed to teach these skills. TVCC received $9244.00 for this purpose to be used between 09/01/2009 and 08/31/2011. On February 18th and 19th, 2010, TVCC conducted its first Renewable Energy Summit. Presenters included eight Federal, State and Local agencies. A series of meetings occurred before and after the 2010 Summit. Participants included Mr. Scott Nichols, U.S. Geothermal, Susan Badger-Jones, Energy Trust of Oregon, Mr. Kurt Christensen, Renewable Ag Energies, Mr. Mike Corley, Pine Eagle School, Mr. Carl Simpson, Renewable Energy NW, Mr. John Smith Treasure Valley Wind & Solar and Mr. Mark Stokes from Representative Power. On January 27th and 28th, 2011, TVCC conducted a second Renewable Energy Summit. The two Summits were the center of the work need to achieve the outcomes of this grant. The USDA grant helped to cover some of the cost of the Summits and work needed to accomplish the outcomes. PARTICIPANTS: A series of meetings occurred before and after the 2010 Summit. Participants included Mr. Scott Nichols, U.S. Geothermal, Susan Badger-Jones, Energy Trust of Oregon, Mr. Kurt Christensen, Renewable Ag Energies, Mr. Mike Corley, Pine Eagle School, Mr. Carl Simpson, Renewable Energy NW, Mr. John Smith Treasure Valley Wind & Solar and Mr. Mark Stokes from Representative Power. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience was farmers, ranchers, local business and the college officials and students. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The purpose was stated in the abovve section. The first, January 2010 summit was coordinated by Sunergy World. This was a company that had conducted Renewable Energy Summits in the past, primarily in California. The primary focus of this first Summit was to demonstrate ways in which farmers, ranchers, local business and the college could capitalize on Green energy. This helped to identify current agricultural renewable energy practices. Speakers included local agricultural people that were using Renewable energy as part of their operations. The Summit included speakers from the USDA (Don Hollis), Sunergy World, Idaho Power, Oregon Department of Energy, Tamastslikt Cultural Center, Energy Trust of Oregon and Renewable Energy Solutions. These presenters identified the newest renewable energy practices as well as spoke on expanded renewable energy practices planned in the next 3-5 years. TVCC promoted the program using the title "Renewable Energy Program Set to Harness New Job Opportunities". From this Summit, TVCC was able to identify workforce skills related to renewable energy that are needed by agricultural employers. These partners/participants also identified workforce skills in business, and government agencies. This allowed TVCC to identify where the workforces skills are taught in current programs, where program revisions could incorporate these skills or where new programs and/or resources are needed to teach these skills. This initial Summit helped to develop "partnerships to support renewable and sustainable energy training efforts" at TVCC. On January 27th and 28th, 2011, TVCC conducted the second Renewable Energy Summit. Oregon Energy Trust was allowed to lead and as stated in the newspaper, approximate 120 participates attend this Summit. Since the 2010 Summit, the Renewable Energy group at TVCC had a number of people provide input into our Renewable Energy program. TVCC had created an Advisory Board that met on a semi-regular bases, in an attempt to keep up with changes in the industry. At the second Summit, the partnership was expanded and two representatives became part of the TVCC Advisory Board. The Oregon Governor attended the 2011 Summit and the opening of the new National Guard Armory in Ontario, Oregon. At that Summit, the use of solar arrays at National Guard Armory was a major topic of discussion and helped fuel the idea of expanding renewable energy practices in the next 3-5 years. TVCC accomplished all of the objectives listed in the grant. We use the outcomes of these Summits and meetings to strive for continuous improvement of the Renewable Energy program. As stated, TVCC received $9244.00 for this purpose to be used between 09/01/2009 and 08/31/2011. TVCC drew $7245.00 which was less than the cost of the first Summit.
Publications
- Publications were created to promote both the 2010 and 2011 Summits. The 2010 program states 2010 Renewable Energy Summit exploring the future. The 2011 program states 2nd Annual Treasure Valley Energy Summit finding energy today for tomorrow. Two newspaper articles were written regarding these events:
- Keller, J. 2010, Going Solar, Argus Observer Newspaper, 22 July Meyer, L., 2011, Budget building, Argus Observer Newspaper, 28 January
- Finally, TVCC featured the Renewable Energy program on the cover of the Winter 2012 Class Schedule. Renewable Energy Program Focuses on Job Skills.
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