Energy and Environment
Up on the Roof
In 2010 Vanessa Keitges and several investors purchased Portland-based Columbia Green Technologies, a green-roof company. The 13-person firm has a 200% annual growth rate, exports 30% of its product to Canada and received its first infusion of venture capital in 2014 from Yaletown Venture Partners. CEO Keitges, 40, a Southern Oregon native who serves on President Obama’s Export Council, talks about market innovation, scaling small business and why Oregon is falling behind in green-roof construction.
The Green Paradox
Inside the topsy-turvy world of corporate sustainability rankings.
Queen of Resilience
BY AMY MILSHTEIN
Astrid Scholz scales up sustainability.
Frothy Battle
BY ROBERT MULLIN
Latest development in Nestlé plant saga sparks debate about the value of water.
Energy Stream
BY LINDA BAKER
Oregon already ranks as the nation’s second largest generator of hydroelectric power. (Washington is No. 1). Now an elegant new installation in Portland is putting an unconventional, sharing economy twist on this age-old water-energy pairing. The new system, launched this winter, uses the flow of water inside city water pipes to spin four turbines that produce electricity for Portland General Electric customers.
Power Players
BY ROBERT MULLIN
A new energy-sharing agreement sparks concerns about independence and collaboration in the region’s utility industry.
The Carbon Calculus
Carbon pricing is gaining momentum in Oregon, sparking concern for energy-intensive businesses — but also opportunity to expand a homespun green economy.
Revenge Forestry
A flare-up in the Elliott Forest raises questions about détente in Oregon’s timber wars.
Liquid gold
Don Gentry navigates Klamath Basin water rights.