The Environmental Center is launching a new home energy assessment program for Central Oregonians.

The center is working with Energy Trust of Oregon to set up free energy assessments for owners and renters who qualify, and to then handle energy upgrades such as insulation, windows, heat pumps and solar panels at low or no cost.

There are three qualifications. People who qualify include those who identify as a person of color, a person experiencing disabilities, a rural resident or a person with low-to-moderate income. Those meeting the qualifications must also be homeowners or renters in a single-family home, manufactured home or multifamily residence such as a row house or a unit in a duplex, triplex or fourplex. Those interested must also live in Oregon and heat their homes with energy from Pacific Power or Cascade Natural Gas.

Corvallis-based nonprofit Seeds for the Sol has run a similar program for years, and founder Julie Williams was instrumental in helping the Environmental Center get its program started.

The Environmental Center will hold information sessions on the program.

The first event is 1 to 2 p.m. May 30 at the center and is aimed at community organizations and elected officials who want to learn more about how the community may benefit from the program. Sign up at the center’s website, https://envirocenter.org/. 

The second is 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 5 at the center and is open to the public to learn how to get involved in the program. Sign up at the center’s website, https://envirocenter.org/.