A Portland-Style Plan for Emergencies and Power Outages

A Portland-Style Plan for Emergencies and Power Outages

Portland, Oregon has teamed up with three partners to create public landmarks where people can gather and charge their phones during natural disasters that cause power outages.

The hope is that the landmarks will become as well-known as other Portland landmarks, including the Portlandia statue, the city’s fountains, and its wildlife statues. That way, residents will know just where to …

Bringing Stability to War-Torn Somalia with Solar Energy

Bringing Stability to War-Torn Somalia with Solar Energy

somalia 3

 

By Lisa Cohn

Beleaguered by famine, terrorism and war, Somalia has the added burden of some of the highest energy costs in the world. But now relief is coming in the form of solar microgrids for refugees and communities thanks to an East African company.

SolarGen Technologies is on a mission to help stabilize the country of 12 million …

Keeping the Lights on Through California Fires and Outages

Keeping the Lights on Through California Fires and Outages

islanded microgrid

 

By Lisa Cohn

When the microgrid at Stone Edge Farm near Sonoma, Calif., kept operating for 10 days in spite of the fires that caused outages nearby, the operators seized the opportunity to learn as much as possible from the surprises they encountered.

The first surprise, of course, were the fires that struck suddenly, stoked by high winds and …

Opinion: Why Portland is a Great Place for an Electric Car

Opinion: Why Portland is a Great Place for an Electric Car

Confessions of an Electric Car Buyer
Here’s an opinion piece I wrote (Portland Tribune) about why Portland is electric-car friendly–and why readers shouldn’t wait for the new Tesla Model 3 to buy an electric car!

In Portland, solar-powered parking meters, green buildings and eco-roofs abound. But we’ve got yet one more reason to brag about our city’s environmental leadership: It’s easy to get around in an …

Confessions of an Impulsive Electric Car Buyer

Confessions of an Impulsive Electric Car Buyer

Confessions of an Electric Car Buyer

 

My EV Purchase: Impulsive, Emotional and Fun

By Lisa Cohn

After years of procrastinating about buying an electric car, a report from the Union of Concerned Scientists spurred me to take action.

My acquisition of a VW e-Golf SE was sudden, emotional, and I admit, impulsive. I didn’t know what I was getting into—and still don’t.

Gas Guzzler No

Nat. Geographic Roundtable on Renewable Energy: My Contribution

Nat. Geographic Roundtable on Renewable Energy: My Contribution

Nat. Geographic Roundtable Discussion

I was thrilled to be invited to take part in National Geographic’s online roundtable discussion about whether the environmental damage wrought by fossil-fuel use can be reversed. I’ve written for more than 20 years about energy and environmental issues, and was excited to share my knowledge of renewable energy.

Here’s the National Geographic Channels asked me and others:

Do you …

Public Relations for Good Causes–Like This One!

Public Relations for Good Causes–Like This One!

I love to help friends, family members and others with public relations for good causes.

Most recently, it was a real treat to be charged with public relations for my brother’s farm, “Paul’s Organic Farm.” He hosted a Grand Opening June 27 at his wind-powered, sustainable farm in Colden, and we managed to attract some nice coverage from media in …