Blog

At PECI, we are busy saving the world one kWh and/or Dth at a time but we still find time to share our opinions and insights on our favorite topics: energy resources, sustainability, energy efficiency, green practices and all things PECI. We invite you to join the conversation.

Jen Shafer
,
Program Manager

I was talking to a friend recently about my frugal angle with these blog posts and she posed an interesting question:  “I've wondered about how to feed the family in a sustainable way on a budget.  I know people say buy local and organic, but I haven't always found that to be the most inexpensive way to eat. Are there other tips on where or when to shop that I'm missing?”

It’s a great question whether you cook a lot or dine out often.  I don’t have kids but even buying local and organic just for myself has its financial challenges – last year I bought a juicer and was a bit stunned...

1 Comment
Posted on 2012-01-29 12:23
Jen Shafer
,
Program Manager

I’m moving soon, and I’m one of those people who leaves the place cleaner than when they moved in, so I’ve been pretty busy on that end lately.  Store bought eco-friendly products can be expensive and I also sometimes question how eco-friendly they really are, so I’ve decided to experiment with natural cleaning solutions instead. 

Turns out that vinegar, peroxide and baking...

0 Comments
Posted on 2012-01-11 18:16
Jen Shafer
,
Program Manager

About four years ago I had been living and working in Oakland, CA for ten years and was looking for a change.  Several close friends who graduated from Reed College said, “You should move to Portland, you would love it.”  I considered the city - focused on sustainability, great food and beer, easily accessible outdoor activities, fantastic bookstore, considerably more affordable than Oakland – for approximately 3 seconds and then set plans in motion.  A few months later, I settled into my new Portland address.  (Yes, I became one of THOSE people – those Californians relocating to Oregon...

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Posted on 2011-12-28 15:02
Jen Shafer
,
Program Manager

Every year, I try not to give in to the rampant holiday consumerism hype.  I give gifts throughout the year instead of saving it all up for one annual event, and when friends and family request my “wish list,” I ask them to donate to my charities of choice.  But inevitably (and somewhat annoyingly!) I tend to  get swept up in the “giving spirit” no matter how hard I try not to. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of resources where one can find eco-friendly gift-giving ideas.  For starters, the Nature Conservancy offers ...

0 Comments
Posted on 2011-12-09 09:51
Jen Shafer
,
Program Manager

My work at PECI has mainly been in the grocery industry, a sector swimming in energy efficiency opportunities.  As a result of this experience, I tend to favor stores that I know are energy-conscious, I nerdily examine refrigerated case gaskets and motors at any opportunity, and I've had the occasional urge to moonwalk down a frozen food aisle where LEDs with motion sensors have been installed.  But generally speaking, this work - while very important and rewarding - is not directly tangible to me on a day-to-day basis.

Recently I've been exposed to some of PECI’s residential energy...

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Posted on 2011-12-01 15:07