Special Projects

MCEDD supports a variety of special projects that align with the regional economic development strategy.

Hood River County Energy Plan

Hood River County has a long-standing history of energy efficiency and renewable energy development – as a means to reduce energy costs, hedge our bets against rising energy costs in the future, and increase our community’s resilience to warming temperatures and natural disasters, both natural and human caused.

Hood River County in 2016 invited local partners and stakeholders to jointly develop the Hood River County Energy Plan. In doing so, the county joined a growing list of communities around the U.S. and the world that are addressing climate change and energy concerns with a long-term vision and plan.

The plan sets community-wide energy reduction goals while also setting a goal to produce more renewable energy locally. The plan also identifies long-range objectives, strategies, and actions to meet those targets by 2050. The plan was adopted in  2018 by the Hood River County Commission, Hood River City Council, the Port of Hood River and the Port of Cascade Locks. In adopting the plan by resolution, the agencies agreed to voluntarily work toward meeting the goals of the plan in a collaborative way.

 Hood River County Energy Council

The Hood River County Energy Council  serves as an advisory body to the agencies that adopted the Hood River County Energy Plan as well as to the citizens and public and private partners who are committed to helping Hood River County meet the goals of the plan. The 11-member council includes elected officials from all four  governing bodies as well as volunteers from the community. Council members are working with stakeholders to  advance the Energy Plan through subcommittee work, fundraising, and strategic planning.

The Council is staffed by the Hood River County Energy Plan Coordinator. Under the general direction of the Executive Director of MCEDD and in coordination with the Hood River County Energy Council, the coordinator provides professional economic development, grant management, and project management services to oversee the implementation of the Hood River County Energy Plan, as well as other regional clean energy initiatives.

The Hood River County Energy Council typically meets on the second Thursday of the month from 3:00 – 5:00 pm via video conference. Please see the MCEDD calendar or email energycoordinator@mcedd.org to get on the mailing list and confirm the time and location of the Energy Council meeting.