Jan./Feb. 1984 RAIN Page 29 assistance resources are listed: organizations, reference documents and materials, numerous manufacturers— from glass crushers to can flatteners—end users (mainly Oregon-based), and paper, metal, fiber, and glass brokers. Since the Oregon Legislature recently passed a bill that calls for all cities with populations above 4,000 to establish residential recycling services by 1986, this manual is apt to be used widely. It may also serve as a model for other states or regions intending to augment the effectiveness and scope of recycling programs. (Association of Oregon Recyclers, P.O. Box 10051, Portland, OR 97210.) Community Resource Center Where can home owners find up-to-date information on how to save money on energy bills—without spending a major part of a paycheck on fancy conservation devices? The Appropriate Technology Resource Center, now housed in the Coos Bay Public Library, is a good place to start. The Center was established in January 1981 by the Southwest Oregon Community Action Committee (SWOCAC) in North Bend, Oregon, with the help of a U.S. Department of Energy A.T. Small Grant. It received an additional USDOE grant to continue a second year. The Center emphasized outreach to low- and moderate- income households and provided information, education, training, and technical assistance to individuals, groups, libraries, and schools. Resource Center topics included low- and no-cost methods of home energy conservation; renewable energy technologies; backyard greenhouse and breadbox solar water heater construction; and more. During this first year, the Center organized workshops for low-income families on techniques of planning, installing, and monitoring two simple, low-cost (under $1,500) appropriate technology projects: a solar greenhouse and a breadbox water heater. Families at both sites received construction materials at no charge and were asked to monitor the performance of the projects in return. The greenhouse and the water heater continue not only to save energy and dollars for the households that installed them but also to serve as models for the communities in which they are located. Low- and no-cost home weatherization techniques were th6 focus of workshops during the Center's second year of service. SWOCAC staff also organized special workshops on how to make Roman shades and other types of window insulators. In order to contribute to the development of appropriate technologies in southwestern Oregon, the Resource Center developed performance standards specific to the area's geographic and climatic conditions. These standards were based on data collected on projects installed during the training sessions. Data collected on the greenhouse constructed during one of the workshops included air and water storage temperatures, insulation values, and utility bill impacts. Solar experts will be able to use the information to determine the effectiveness of similar systems and to evaluate how much energy (and money) a greenhouse actually saves. The breadbox solar water heater has also been monitored for its heating efficiency and for its corresponding impact on utility bills. Development of a local solar "index" is just about completed. The index will measure what proportion of a four-member family's hot water needs could be met by solar energy in the course of a given day. For example, an index of 75 would indicate that 75 percent of the family's hot water could be provided by the sun on that day. The goal is to have this information announced daily by local radio and television weather reporters. Such information should prove very effective in impressing people with the potential contribution of solar energy. A major problem that the Center addressed was the lack of public knowledge about the need for and availability of appropriate technology development. In order to heighten public awareness, SWOCAC advertised widely through the public library system, the local solar energy association, and traditional media. Special publicity on workshops by the local press and interviews on local talk shows gave the Resource Center good public exposure. Mass mailings and pamphlet distribution also increased the public's interest in the project. There were a number of positive results from the A major problem the Center addressed was the lack of public knowledge about the need for appropriate technology development. SWOCAC Appropriate Technology Resource Center project: an alternative energy organization was formed; renewable energy information was provided to hundreds of people; several houses became active solar demonstration projects; and many people received tax credit assistance. March 1983 marked the end of the funding period for the project, so the Center moved its collection to the Coos Bay Public Library where it continues to have a positive impact on the many people who use that facility. In fact, "many more people use the collection here than at our original site," says Carol Shininger, former SWOCAC staff member who now works at the library. Carol has placed the "Energy Collection" in a special section of the library and has installed signs and posters pointing out its location. (Jeff Manley,'SWOCAC, P.O. Box 427, North Bend, OR 97459; Carol Shininger, Coos Bay Public Library, 525 W. Anderson, Coos Bay, OR 97420.) □□
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