September 2025


Schedule a Free Home Energy Review

Get personalized home energy conservation advice straight from an expert, sign up for a Clark Public Utilities home energy review today. In just one visit, a trained energy counselor can show you how to reduce energy waste and save on monthly utility expenses.

Home energy reviews are ideal for customers with older homes where small changes could make a big difference in lowering energy costs and for customers considering a remodel or large investments, like a new furnace or windows. Energy counselors can explain low- or no-cost ways to prevent wasted energy and can also discuss projects that may qualify for energy efficiency rebates or incentives. They can also investigate unexpected changes in energy consumption when the cause is hard to identify.

Customers can also get specific and personalized home energy advice quickly and conveniently from a utility energy counselor by calling 360-992-3355 during business hours or emailing [email protected].

For more information or to schedule a free in-home energy review, visit clarkpublicutilities.com/energyreview.

Be Outage Ready

It’s the perfect time to prepare for the upcoming storm season. Have an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, water, and non-perishable food for three days. Keep power banks charged and consider backup power sources for necessary medical equipment. Also, secure important documents and know how to manually open your garage door.

Remember to report all outages at 360-992-8000 or clarkpublicutilities.com, where additional information is available.

Utility’s Native Plant Nursery Saves Millions of Gallons

The saplings and sprouts growing in the Clark Public Utilities Native Plant Nursery will continue to get all the water they need while the utility saves about 1.2 million gallons of water per year, thanks to an innovative project led by utility employees.

Clark Public Utilities raises up to 70,000 native trees and shrubs per year that employee- and community-volunteers plant on the sites of utility watershed restoration projects around the county. Historically, movable hoses were used in the nursery to irrigate with water purchased from the city of Vancouver, which is treated to meet drinking water standards. As of July 1, the nursery’s permanent irrigation system recycles and reuses water cycled through the heating and cooling system at the Operations Center. The volume of water reclaimed for use in irrigation is more than sufficient to support the nursery year-round.

Considering Rooftop Solar? Call Us First

Rooftop solar produces clean, renewable electricity that can reduce home energy expenses, but it’s not a good fit on every property. If you’re considering solar, take your time and weigh the options. Installed solar arrays can cost upwards of $50,000 and it’s highly unlikely the solar company will offer a refund if the system does not perform as promised.

When meeting with solar contractors and installers, use the Washington Solar Consumer Protection Act’s consumer checklist and solicit multiple bids, investigate each company’s back-ground and be wary of high-pressure, short-timeline sales tactics. Claims about eliminating your monthly energy bills, very low monthly payments, or rising utility rates should be red flags.

Don’t sign anything until you understand your property’s energy consumption and solar capabilities, the total and monthly system costs, and have received at least three bids from reputable contractors. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Clark Public Utilities solar experts are always available to help, just contact the energy services team at 360-992-3244. Information about solar energy, current solar incentives, the consumer checklist, and a solar payback calculator are available at clarkpublicutilities.com/rooftopsolar.

Utility Employees Climb High at 2025 Lineman Rodeo

Clark Public Utilities apprentices put their skills to work at the 2025 Pacific Northwest Lineman Rodeo in Gresham. This annual event gathers electrical workers from across the west to test their speed, safety and trade skills in front of a crowd of friends, families and fans.

No matter the time or the weather, utility line crews must be ready to respond when the power goes out. This critical but dangerous work requires years of training to be done safely. Events like the annual Lineman Rodeo give journeymen and apprentices an opportunity to test their skills and learn tips and tricks from other professionals in friendly competition.