Sustainability

While implementing many standard green building features, such as rainwater collection and reuse, extensive day lighting, building with recycled and reclaimed building materials and components, low VOC paints and adhesives, rapidly renewable resources, energy efficient systems etc., we also employ waste heat reuse, significant thermal storage, climate control that is delivered in the form of efficient and effective radiant heat and cooling. Independence Station is going above and beyond normal green development. Using a unique co-generation system fueled by locally sourced waste vegetable oil, use of thermal storage, solar heating and solar PV cells and enough high tech batteries to run a submarine, Independence Station will not be dependent on the local power grid. We have the ability to be fully off-grid for extended periods of time, providing safety and security for our residents, business owners and customers. We also have an alternative energy research center that will partner with Oregon State University to always be working on solutions for our future. Oregon has a long tradition as a land of pioneers. With Independence Station, that tradition continues.

Why is sustainability important?

Green living is here, and it is here to stay. Energy costs are rising as a direct result of the imminent peaking of world oil production. The rate of total world oil production actually met or slightly exceeded demand in 2007. Although demand is slightly lower at the present time due to slower worldwide economic activity, this will be only temporary and it will be back to business as usual, but with the oil demand from China and India on the steep increase, we will be back in the same situation shortly. There are other forms of oil out there that will last for many years, but most experts say that we may never be able to produce at a rate above 85 billion barrels per day much less maintain that rate for any time. Today, world production is at about 83 million barrels per day, so that leaves precious little or no ability to absorb even a minor production mishap as a result of severe storms, terrorism etc. There will be little choice but to change how we live our daily lives. As a result, we have to produce and consume energy, goods and services that are all produced locally in order to function in the challenging future. Independence Station is a prototype of how things are going to have to be. The United States’ increasing dependence on foreign energy sources will continue to cause many problems. Be a part of the solution. Independence Station is on the cutting edge of true energy sustainability and will not be part of the problem.