| New Green Products and Catalog from Schoolhouse Electric Co.
 Schoolhouse Electric Co., manufacturers of period light fixtures and handblown glass shades, just released its new biennial catalog. The catalog features brand-new, streamlined mid-century lighting and fresh, porcelain industrial light fixtures, along with new shade designs, including a family of custard-glazed shades and vintage red hand-painted shades.
For customers interested in pulling the plug on energy-wasting incandescent light bulbs, Schoolhouse Electric Co. offers custom hardwired compact fluorescent sockets in 95% of its light fixtures. Schoolhouse Electric Co. is one of the first lighting companies in the country to offer cutting-edge GU24-dedicated compact fluorescent sockets in almost all its fixtures, providing a wide selection of long-term green lighting options for home owners and commercial building owners alike.
In addition to new products, Schoolhouse Electric Co.’s new catalog offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the company’s intensive hands-on manufacturing methods using old-world techniques from a bygone era before mass production. Nearly all of Schoolhouse Electric Co.’s parts and shades are American-made and assembled right here in Portland. To get your copy of the new catalog visit Schoolhouse Electric Co.’s showroom at 330 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. or order one online at schoolhouseelectric.com.
Efficiency Washers Clean Up on Savings 
Energy and water savings are coming out in the wash all across Oregon. More than 22,500 Oregonians received an incentive from Energy Trust of Oregon after purchasing new premium efficiency clothes washers in 2006. Now through 2007, purchasers of select ENERGY STAR® premium efficiency clothes washers can receive an $85 mail-in incentive from Energy Trust. Some machines also qualify for an Oregon state energy tax credit of up to $180.
To be eligible for the Energy Trust incentive, shoppers must purchase an ENERGY STAR® qualified clothes washer with a Modified Energy Factor (MEF) of 2.0 or higher by December 31, 2007. While all ENERGY STAR® clothes washers are efficient, premium efficiency models save the most energy and water — more than $110 per year, or about $1,300 over the average 12-year life of the appliance. Since the incentive program started in 2005, nearly 38,000 Oregonians have purchased premium efficiency clothes washers and received Energy Trust incentives.
The premium efficiency clothes washers purchased through the program in 2006 will save more than 23.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity and more than 107,000 therms of natural gas every year. That’s enough electricity to power more than 2,000 average Oregon homes for a year and enough natural gas to heat nearly 140 Oregon homes.
For a list of qualified washer models and to download the incentive application form, visit energytrust.org/cw. Incentive applications must be postmarked by January 31, 2008. Applicants must be Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, Avista, NW Natural, or Cascade Natural Gas to participate.
Compost Bin, Kitchen Scrap Collector, and More
Gone are the days when you had to wait for a special weekend sale to buy a low-cost compost bin. Now Metro is selling the Earth Machine Home Composter year-round. Already have a bin? How about a countertop size collector for your kitchen scraps? Or perhaps the cool “Wing Digger” tool to help you turn your compost so it breaks down faster? Or a round plastic floor for your bin to keep critters out?
You’ll find all this — plus Metro recycled latex paint — for sale at Metro’s recycled latex paint facility on Swan Island in North Portland.
The Earth Machine Home Composter is an easy-to-use composting system. Mix in your kitchen scraps and yard trimmings, give it a stir every so often to add air, and add a little water if needed to keep it moist. In few months you’ll end up with a rich soil amendment to use on your garden and houseplants.
The Earth Machine compost bin costs $35 (an $80 retail value). The MetroPaint store on Swan Island, 4825 N. Basin Avenue, Portland, is open from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday, and 7 am to 4 pm Saturday.
For more information call 503-234-3000 or visit metro-region.org.
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