Grounded: a Podcast by the Oregon Department of Energy

On August 21, a total solar eclipse will begin its journey across the United States right here in Oregon. From Depoe Bay to Ontario, sun watchers will witness up to two minutes of totality – where the moon will completely cover the sun.

On this week’s Grounded podcast, Oregon Department of Energy Analyst Rob DelMar talks about how the eclipse will affect solar in Oregon and beyond.

Oregon Department of Energy staff will be on hand in the state’s Emergency Coordination Center on August 21, ready to respond as we welcome up to 1 million visitors to the state.

Follow state updates on Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #OREclipse.

Learn more about us: www.oregon.gov/energy

Music: "If" by Broke For Free, freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/

On this week’s podcast, we continue our multi-part series on the Hanford Nuclear Site near Richland, Washington. Oregon Department of Energy Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety, Ken Niles, is back to talk to us about the early years of the Hanford cleanup.

When Hanford shifted to cleanup in the early 1990s, the dream was to complete the project in just 30 years. Ken shares why that dream won’t become a reality – for decades to come.

Learn more and see photos: energyinfo.oregon.gov

Learn more about us: www.oregon.gov/energy

Music: "If" by Broke For Free, freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/

Rock down to Electric Avenue.

On this week’s podcast, we talk to Forth Executive Director Jeff Allen. Forth, formerly known as Drive Oregon, is helping Oregonians find alternative, low- or zero-emission transportation options.

In May, Forth opened its Electric Showcase – the first of its kind in the nation. At the Showcase, people can learn more about electric vehicles, charging options, and even take a no-pressure, brand-neutral electric car test drive!

Learn more and see photos: energyinfo.oregon.gov

Learn more about us: www.oregon.gov/energy

Music: "If" by Broke For Free, freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/

This week, Grounded is with the Portland Trail Blazers, talking about the organization’s ongoing commitment to saving energy and going green.

Trail Blazers Vice President of Social Responsibility Christa Stout and Assistant General Manager of Facility Operations Scott Sisson talk to us about their 2025 goals, how they’ve reduced energy in half over the last decade, and how they’re teaming up with Trail Blazer players, fans, and partners to focus on sustainability and combating climate change.

Learn more and see photos: energyinfo.oregon.gov

Learn more about us: www.oregon.gov/energy

Music: "If" by Broke For Free, http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/

Just southeast of Jefferson, Oregon, 85 acres of hybrid poplar trees have a special mission: demonstrate how poplars can be quickly and economically grown, harvested, and converted into renewable biofuels.

In this week’s podcast, Greenwood Resources’ Chief Science Officer, Brian Stanton, talks to us about the Advanced Hardwood Biofuels, a consortium working to demonstrate how trees can power airplanes!

Learn more and see photos: energyinfo.oregon.gov

Learn more about us: www.oregon.gov/energy

Music: "If" by Broke For Free, freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…Free/Layers/If

Radioactive jam, anyone?

Check out this bonus material from Episode 4: Hanford's Burping Tank. Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety Ken Niles talks about some shenanigans at Hanford and the larger Manhattan Project.

Be sure to listen to our previous podcast episodes about Hanford production and the transition to cleanup.

See photos: energyinfo.oregon.gov

Learn more about us: www.oregon.gov/energy

Music: "If" by Broke For Free, freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/

After recording "Hanford's Burping Tank," an episode about the extent of the waste cleanup at the Hanford Nuclear Site, the area experienced a real emergency when part of a tunnel storing contaminated waste partially collapsed. Oregon activated its Agency Operations Center, and went to work.

Our Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety, Ken Niles, shares some info about the incident and Oregon's response.

Learn more about us: www.oregon.gov/energy

Music: "If" by Broke For Free, www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/

If you haven't already, please listen to our first Hanford episode, "The Atomic Man."

This week, Ken Niles, the Oregon Department of Energy's Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety, continues his Hanford history lesson, moving from the production days of Hanford over to the transition to cleanup. Ken describes the overwhelming problem at Hanford, and the many challenges we face.

This multi-part series will continue with a third episode focused on the progress we've made so far.

Learn more about us: www.oregon.gov/energy

Music: "If" by Broke For Free, www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/

A Home Energy Score can help homeowners and homebuyers better understand how a home uses energy – and what steps they can take to improve energy efficiency.

Oregon is on the leading edge of Home Energy Scores in the United States. A voluntary state-wide program and a mandatory Portland program are helping set the standard for a more energy-efficient housing market.

Oregon Department of Energy Analyst Roger Kainu is joined by Andria Jacob and Kyle Diesner with the City of Portland Bureau of Planning & Sustainability to talk home energy scoring in Oregon.

Learn more about Home Energy Scoring: energyinfo.oregon.gov

Learn more about us: www.oregon.gov/energy

Music: "If" by Broke For Free, freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/

Check out this bonus material from Episode 2: The Atomic Man. In this short recording, Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety Ken Niles discusses the larger nuclear complex in America in the late 1980s. Be sure to listen to The Atomic Man for more information about Hanford.

See photos: energyinfo.oregon.gov

Learn more about us: www.oregon.gov/energy

Music: "If" by Broke For Free, freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/