Portland Hot New Scene For Enviros

Portland has come a long way since the 1890s during which it was known as “The Unheavenly City” (due to, of all things, widespread shanghaiing). Having cleaned up its act and garnered the nickname “City of Roses,” modern Portland is especially appealing in the eyes of 25- to 34-year-olds.

Joe Cortright, economist and coauthor of Young and Restless: How Portland Competes for Talent, says that focus groups show “Portland is a place where you can live your values, and environmentalism is clearly one of them.” GUPPYs, (Green, Urban Professionals who are Young) are attracted to the progressive mindset of the region, ready access to pristine nature, and the opportunity to live according to sound environmental principles.

Not surprisingly, then, Portland is at the leading edge of the green home revolution. In addition to biking or walking to work, many residents choose to live in “ecohomes” featuring locally-produced recycled building materials, solar paneling, eco-roofs (vegetated with lightweight soil and plants), and solar water heaters. Residents can also sell excess energy produced by these homes back to Portland General Electric. Such dwellings are designed to leave the lightest possible footprint on the earth and aim for net-zero energy consumption from the traditional energy grid.

That’ll be the day: when the electric company calls you for help when the lights go out. Get your muzak soundtrack ready.

For more information contact: www.portlandonline.com