Michael Kluz

Email: mkluz@WyEast-RCD.org
Title: Rural Energy Specialist
Organization: Wy’East Resource Conservation and Development
Community: The Dalles
Population: 16,010
Counties Served: Central Oregon-Statewide

Meet Michael Kluz (he/him):

Born and raised in the Midwest, Michael received his B.S. in Natural Resource Management and Planning and minor in Sustainable Energy from the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point. A strong interest in natural resources and sustainability allowed Michael to work for the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI), as a member of the community sustainability working group. There he collaborated with the Governor’s Taskforce on Climate Change and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to explore how Wisconsin communities were responding to shifting climactic conditions. Recently, Michael worked at Midwest Renewable Energy Association, working to integrate renewable energy and efficiency practices into homes, businesses, and communities. Working at MREA highlighted the impact a small nonprofit could have particularly within the energy sector. Michael is excited to continue to provide this personal “Boots on the Ground” approach to energy projects serving rural communities across Oregon. When not working with local farmers you will most likely find Michael trail running or exploring the mountains of Central Oregon.

Community and Organization:

Wy’East Resource Conservation and Development is situated in the Columbia River Gorge region of Central Oregon. WyEast is based out of The Dalles, a city of 16,000 nestled in a bend of the Columbia River and Dufur, a small but vibrant city of just over 600 that sits south of The Dalles amidst the cherry orchards, and dryland wheat fields of the region. Wy’East RC&D was formed in 1994 under the 1962 Agriculture Act. Wy’East the indigenous Multnomah name for Mount Hood, originally acted as a nonprofit entity under the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) before Resource Conservation and Development Councils were removed from the Farm Bill in 2011. Since then, WyEast has continued to serve Rural Oregon with a “Boots on the Ground” approach, offering technical assistance on energy and irrigation projects to rural agricultural producers across the state.

Project:

Michael is serving at WyEast as a Rural Energy Specialist. Recognizing the significant divide between urban and rural Oregon when it comes to energy resources, many state agencies and nonprofits were looking for a collaborative approach to best serve the energy needs of many rural Oregonians. WyEast has partnered with several public and private organizations across Oregon with the goal to develop a collaborative statewide rural energy network. Michael’s role is facilitating the creation of this network. Additionally, Michael is assisting rural residents, agricultural producers, and small business with funding applications as well as providing technical expertise to spur energy efficiency and renewable projects in rural Oregon communities. As most of WyEast’s work is focused on rural agricultural producers in Central Oregon, these projects are often centered on energy and irrigation efficiency, working in the “energy-water nexus.” Energy and water efficiency can provide large cost savings to producers and has the dual benefit of helping to contribute to a cleaner energy future for Oregon. Michael is also helping to advance WyEast’s Rural Electrification program, working with small farms across the state to test some of the nation’s first electric powered farm equipment. This program is offering rural Oregon a first look at these emerging technologies.