June 19, 2007—Oregon Environmental Council and Oregon Wine Board to Present “Slowing Global Warming: A Workshop for the Wine Industry”

PORTLAND, Ore.—June 19, 2007—The wine industry has a history of taking the early initiative in adopting sustainable agriculture practices, and is already well positioned to lead efforts to tackle global warming.

On July 19, 2007 the Oregon Environmental Council will present a workshop with the Oregon Wine Board and the Oregon Department of Energy featuring leaders in the Oregon wine industry that have significantly reduced their resource use and carbon footprint. Representatives from the Oregon Department of Energy and Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc. will discuss financial incentives for changes to operations that reduce a winery’s energy use.

“While taking individual responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions in our businesses and daily lives is a large piece of the solution,” said Andrea Durbin, Executive Director of the Oregon Environmental Council, “it is also essential to take steps to ensure that state and federal policies are enacted that will guide our transition away from carbon intensive activities.”

The wine industry can lead by example and be a critical voice in both Salem and Washington D.C. At the workshop, the Oregon Environmental Council and the National Environmental Trust will discuss state and federal legislative efforts to reduce global warming, and how the wine industry can help these initiatives move forward. The workshop is brought to you by the Oregon Environmental Council, with support from the Oregon Wine Board. The reception cost is $30.

WHO: Oregon Environmental Council, Oregon Wine Board, Oregon Department of Energy, Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc., and the National Environmental Trust. Other speakers will include representatives from Willamette Valley Vineyards, Bethel Heights Vineyard, Lemelson Vineyard, and more.

WHAT: A workshop discussing ways for wineries to reduce their carbon footprint, financial incentives for changes to operations that reduce a winery’s energy use, as well as state and federal legislative efforts to reduce global warming, and how the wine industry can help these initiatives move forward. Workshop and reception cost is $30.

WHEN: July 19, 2007. Workshop 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. / reception 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Willamette Valley Vineyards, 8800 Enchanted Way SE, Turner, Oregon

About the Oregon Environmental Council

The Oregon Environmental Council safeguards what Oregonians love about Oregon – clean air and water, an unpolluted landscape and healthy food produced by local farmers. For nearly 40 years we’ve been a champion for solutions to protect the health of every Oregonian and the health of the place we call home. Our vision for Oregon includes solving global warming, protecting kids from toxins, cleaning up our rivers, building sustainable economies, and ensuring healthy food and local farms. 

For More Information:
Oregon Environmental Council
Jeremy Graybill, Communications Director
503-222-1963 ext. 111