Earth Smart is Back in Portland

residential construction program, abruptly discontinued in 1997 (see

EBN

Vol. 7, No. 3, p. 5), is now back. The previous program was terminated after PGE was purchased by energy giant Enron. Enron’s influence, however, may be a positive factor in that the program is no longer limited to all-electric homes. Participation in the program is likely to be limited, however, as builders must pay both annual fees to qualify and per-house fees to cover the cost of assessing the homes. Earth Smart-certified houses get to use the label in marketing but see little in the way of more tangible benefits.