Energy Empowerment: Home Energy Solutions & Community Connections
Ready to take action on clean energy at home — but not sure where to start? Join WRISE PDX and the City of Portland for an evening of hands-on learning, community connection, and real resources you can use today.
The Energy Empowerment Event is WRISE PDX's annual community gathering during PNW Climate Week — bringing together everyday Portlanders, clean energy experts, and local organizations to make the clean energy transition practical, accessible, and actionable.
What to expect:
🤝 Community Fair & Networking — 4:00–7:30 PM Connect with local clean energy organizations, solution providers, and community partners throughout the evening.
🔋 Breakout Sessions 5-6 PM & 6-7 PM
5 PM Electric Vehicles — Residential EV resources and how to get started Speaker: Eric Forslund, Interim Fleet Business Operations Manager, Bureau of Fleet & Facilities, City of Portland
5 PM Community Solar & Home Energy Storage—Solar Power for Apartments & Shaded Homes & Home Battery Systems Speakers: Jess Siegel, Senior Program Strategies Manager, Energy Trust of Oregon, Jonathan Nelson, Founder of Cascadia Community Energy, Tatiana Siegenthaler-Rodriguez, Verde Builds Program Manager, Jessica Carmona, Program Director, Renewable Energy at Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF)
6 PM Utility Customer Programs — Greening the Grid from Your Living Room: A Portlander’s Guide to Energy Shifting Programs Speakers: Eva DeCesaro, Manager of Product Management, PGE, Rachel Cohen-Moore, Senior Product Development Specialist, PGE, Shanna Brownstein, Director, Utility Partnerships, GridCARE
6 PM Energy Efficiency - DIY Summer Weatherization Speaker: Lena Karam, Climate Resiliency Program Coordinator, Community Energy Project
🚗 EV Ride & Drive — 5:00–7:30 PM Get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle and experience the future of transportation firsthand. Sponsored by: Dick Hannah Dealerships, Harbinger, and Randge Zero Emissions.
Featured organizations include: Portland General Electric, Energy Trust of Oregon, Community Energy Project, Opconnect, City of Portland & City Fleet, Oregon Department of Energy, OpConnect, Cascadia Community Energy, Aqua Theon (OoMee), Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF), Breaking Barriers Collaborative, Verde, Bike Bus PDX, Community Energy Project, Power Northwest, Nutrition Rx, Third Act Oregon, Vvolt
Who is this for? Curious Portlanders, homeowners, renters, students, climate advocates, and anyone who wants to increase household resilience, and make informed clean energy choices.
WRISE PDX is the Portland chapter of Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy, supporting leadership, education, and community engagement in the clean energy sector. This is an official PNW Climate Week event — a week-long series of community-powered events spotlighting the Pacific Northwest's role in climate leadership and innovation.
An official PNW Climate Week 2026 event · July 13–19, 2026
By registering for this event, you agree to share your information with the event organizers, PNW Climate Week, and Climatebase / the Climate Week Network. You may receive updates from these organizations, and can opt out at any time in accordance with their respective privacy policies.