Aaron Orlowski

Energy nerd; comms for @EWEButility; former writer and podcast producer at @ucirvine; journalism bylines at @seafoodsource @hakaimagazine @civileats @ocregister

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

Reliable, affordable, renewable.

Our energy supply needs to be all three.

Keep the lights on. Keep rates low. Keep the planet from burning.

How do we do it?

Yesterday, I shared @EWEButility's plans with @sandergusinow from @OregonBusiness.

🧵

https://t.co/O0QnF36Apq

[EUG Water & Electric @EWEButility]

Our hearts go out to all our customers who are without power tonight. We know how hard it is. Many EWEB staff and lineworkers are also without power. But your gratitude keeps us warm as we work hard to restore power. Thank you for your patience!

[EUG Water & Electric @EWEButility]

EWEB crews are out diligently restoring power and we want to say thank you to our customers for your patience! Today, EWEB crews focused on repairing service lines to our Hayden Bridge Water Filtration Plant, which is currently running on generators.

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

What action items resulted from EWEB's 2023 Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process? Find them here:

https://t.co/YHaxx72EZ2

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

EWEB issued our first-ever call to conserve energy during the mid-August heat wave, and customers responded!

They cut energy use by 10-15 megawatts, or about 10,000-15,000 window air conditioners.

Similar, formalized demand response programs are likely in the future.

[EUG Water & Electric @EWEButility]

A couple of weeks ago we asked you to cut back on your electricity use to avoid over-taxing the grid during the heat wave - and you responded! To learn more about the tremendous response to our call to action, please read this article on the EWEB Newsroom https://t.co/uyOD89jj2M

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

How much did customers cut energy use during the August heat wave? Read more here:

https://t.co/ChXcxUQZhO

[EUG Water & Electric @EWEButility]

Did you know hydrogen atoms could help us decarbonize? Michelle Detwiler, Executive Director of the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance, spoke at our June board meeting about the potential of hydrogen in the utility sector.

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

This will mean new resources, especially zero-carbon, on-demand resources.

"We’re going to have this steep step up in demand, and it’s not enough to just replace what’s retired, we need new resources to meet projected demand," said Crystal Ball, executive director of PNUCC.

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

It was a privilege to speak with @AlexBaumhardt @ORCapChronicle about electricity demand and supply in the NW and at @EWEButility.

Rising demand means we must look at zero-carbon, on-demand energy sources to maintain reliability, affordability and environmental responsibility.

[EUG Water & Electric @EWEButility]

We're going to need more electricity in the future.

Electricity demand in the NW is projected to rise nearly 25% in the next decade, says a regional forecast by the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee (PNUCC). @ORCapChronicle @AlexBaumhardt

https://t.co/ws1ogBFw3j

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

We must keep the lights on and air conditioners and heaters running, especially on the hottest and coldest days of year. We must keep electricity affordable for our low-income community members. And we must reduce carbon emissions to stave off climate catastrophe.

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

Multnomah County has sued oil companies, seeking to hold them responsible for the deadly 2021 Heat Dome. https://t.co/vUMhWoueSR

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

Severe fires devastate fish and river ecosystems.

But small and moderate fires actually benefit ecosystems. https://t.co/kJLf2fXIlY

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

Tragic history about how the banning of cultural burning has harmed tribes — and everyone who lives near forests.

And everyone who breathes. https://t.co/Tc4eh3yu8p

[EUG Water & Electric @EWEButility]

Check out today's @eugeneweekly to learn how EWEB plans for a water treatment plant on the #WillametteRiver. Eugene is the largest city in the #PNW with only one #drinkingwater source. If a disaster were to disrupt the #McKenzieRiver, we'd need a backup.
https://t.co/fqoJYYe7kf

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

It was an honor to volunteer at this event. The seventh graders’ energy was infectious. Future wind turbine engineers and technicians in the making!

[EUG Water & Electric @EWEButility]

Seventh graders in the Bethel School District put their handmade wind turbines to the test in a wind power challenge supported by EWEB grants last week . https://t.co/O3C863vfI9

[EUG Water & Electric @EWEButility]

Seventh graders in the Bethel School District put their handmade wind turbines to the test in a wind power challenge supported by EWEB grants last week . https://t.co/O3C863vfI9

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

Not to brag, but … the water in Eugene is the best.

⁦⁦@EWEButility water⁩ once again met all federal and state drinking water standards.

And if ⁦⁦@EPAwater⁩ and ⁦@OHAOregon⁩ required tests for taste, EWEB would pass those, too. https://t.co/C3vEuXWCGW

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

Heat pumps are popular. Last year, Americans installed 4 million of them — beating out gas furnaces.

But the name “heat pump” can be confusing. A heat pump doesn’t just heat your home; it can cool it, too.

So some people are hunting for a better name.

https://t.co/LRp9Mtk5Dy

[Aaron Orlowski @AaronOrlowski]

The pace of electrification is picking up. California is looking to ban the sale of new diesel-powered big rig trucks and buses by 2036. By 2045, those heavy-duty vehicles would have to be zero emission, if the regulations by @AirResources are approved.

https://t.co/EAMpLFQVlf