Posts Tagged green

May 8th, Beaverton Farmers Market opens for the season

Beaverton Farmers Market

During Mother’s Day Weekend on Saturday, May 8th.  The Beaverton Farmers Market will open for the season.

For more information, go to http://www.beavertonfarmersmarket.com/

If you would like more information about living in Beaverton, Oregon or elsewhere in the Portland Metropolitan area, please contact me at dannyshepard@oregonfirst.com or call me at 503-267-8370.

Opening May 8

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Portland-Metro area ranked number 1 green city area by American City Business Journals

The Portland-Metro area is ranked number the number 1 green city area by American City Business Journals.

Metro Green Index

<!– #cxkg {visibility:hidden; font-size:6px; position:relative; } –> City “Green Index” data
Raw data and rank among 43 metros

Overall Rank 1
City Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA (MSA)
Travel delay x1000 hrs 34,418.00
Rank travel delay 24
Excess fuel x1000 gallons 23969
Rank excess fuel 24
Congestion cost x1million 712
Rank congestion cost 24
Travel delay in hours, excess fuel used and congestion cost source: the Texas Transportation Institute’s 2007 Urban Mobility report
Mean travel time 25.3
Rank travel time 21
Percent of commuters who drive alone 70.6
Rank commuters who drive 6
Percent using public transit 6.4
Rank using public transit 8
Travel time, solo commuters and public transit source: U.S. Census (2008).
Number of days with AQI over 100 3
Rank high AQI 11
Five-year average days with AQI over 100 3.6
Rank five-year AQI 6
Air Quality Index data source: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Pollutants reported to state in 2004-09 15
Rank pollutants 14.00
Number of times in excess of health guidelines 6
Rank excess health guidelines 6
Water pollutants statistics source: the Environmental Working Group
States renewable energy generation 35816
Rank renewable energy 6
Renewable energy data source: the U.S. Energy Information Administration
Carbon emissions per capita (metric tons) 1.45
Rank carbon emissions per capita 3
Carbon emissions source: the Brookings Institute
Sprawl index 126.1
Rank sprawl index 4
Sprawl data source: Smart Growth America
LEED certified projects 99
Rank LEED certified projects 2
LEED-certified data source: the U.S. Green Building Council
Energy Star rated facilities 48
Rank Energy Star rated facilities 16
Square feet of all Energy Star facilities 16634510
Rank SF Energy Star 11
Potential green jobs 2038 53122
Energy Star data source: U.S. EPA
Rank green jobs potential 14
Total green jobs in 2006 6714
Rank green jobs per capita 11
Green jobs source: U.S. Conference of Mayors.
LEED architects 478
Rank LEED architects per capita 5
LEED credentialed professionals 1409
Rank LEED professionals 7
LEED credential data source: U.S. Green Building Council
Average rank 11.15
Average rank of all the indicators for which data was available for this metro

If you have any questions regarding real estate or are interested in buying a home, green or otherwise, please contact me at dannyshepard@oregonfirst.com or 503-267-8370.

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Portland Clean Energy Works pilot program

Portland will have 500 lucky homeowners that will be able to participate in a pilot program to promote using energy efficient upgrades. This is program provides low interest loans with no upfront costs to finance and install energy efficiency home improvements. Eligibility restrictions apply. Visit http://www.cleanenergyworksportland.org/ for more details.

If you have any questions on this program or other matters concerning real estate, please call me at 503-267-8370 or email at dannyshepard@oregonfirst.com.

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Portland Real Estate Market Going Green: Healthy Tips & Asbestos Prevention

asbestos house diagram Portland Real Estate Market Going Green: Healthy Tips & Asbestos PreventionThe real-estate world is a fast paced industry where decisions need to be made in a quick and orderly fashion. Having the assistance of an honest and reliable Portland real estate agent can make all the difference.

The path to buying a home is an exciting time for you and your family, but one that can also bring additional responsibilities into your life. When buying or selling a home, consumers frequently relay questions to their agents.

Organizations in the Pacific Northwest such as Environment Oregon have been important in removal methods of asbestos and other toxic materials which serve as a threat to many people’s health. The organization is trying to legislate tax credits for people and families who generate renewable energy. There are many green, Eco-friendly materials that replace the need for asbestos and can reduce energy costs annually.

Healthy Tips

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was utilized in millions of building and construction applications throughout the 20th century. Due to its flame resistant, highly durable and inexpensive qualities, it became the ideal choice for manufacturers as a form of insulation, piping, brake lining and flooring.

If you suspected asbestos materials are in your home, most home inspectors and contractors advise to leave it un-disturbed as asbestos in good condition does not pose any health risks. Asbestos that is left un-disturbed will normally pose no threat. If asbestos needs to be removed, it should be performed by licensed abatement contractors. These contractors are trained in the handling and disposal of asbestos in public facilities and homes. They can perform the removal in public facilities, homes and work places.

A rare, but severe form of asbestos lung cancer known as mesothelioma is caused solely from exposure to asbestos. Due to the fact many symptoms are similar to less serious ailments, diagnosis of mesothelioma is one of the more difficult tasks physicians encounter. There are a number of factors that can impact a patient’s survival rate. These factors include latency period, age of diagnosis and cigarette smoking.

Oregon Going Green: Homes and Real Estate

Sustainability and energy guide many aspects of life in Portland. The Oregon Environmental Council protects what many citizens of Oregon want to keep: clean air, water, no pollution and healthy food. Their goal is to help individuals move to greener living, help business adapt to these new models and assist political officials in creating clear policy.

Moving to a green Eco-friendly paradigm has become an important part of Oregon’s Real Estate market. Insuring buildings, homes and apartments are up to date is vital to the success of companies and their investments. The move to a greener lifestyle will build on the change to healthier methods of building products, home remodeling and renovation.

There are now many green alternatives to asbestos insulation that can even save and reduce annual energy costs. These options include the use of cotton fiber, lcynene and cellulose.
Cotton fiber is made from recycled batted material and treated to be flame resistant. With the implementation of these recycled materials, waste is also decreasing in landfills. These Eco-friendly forms of insulation will provide a safe and healthy home, free of any damaging materials.

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