Belgian green energy expert brings award-winning scheme to Oregon

Joke Dockx, director of energy with Brussels Administration for the Environment and Energy, was in Portland, Oregon, yesterday to discuss a public/private ultra-low-energy construction scheme, writes The Oregonian’s Bridget A. Otto. The Exemplary Buildings project has put Brussels in line with the European energy goals for 2020 and 2050, and last year, the European Commission gave Brussels Environment the European Energy Award. The programme launched in 2007 has resulted in more than 140,000 square metres of low-energy housing – housing that meets the stringent passive house standards – while cutting regional energy consumption by 10%. Her presentation included discussion about how this knowledge and experience can be applied in the Portland metropolitan area and is geared toward policy leaders, energy efficiency advocates and environmentalists committed to reducing regional energy consumption.