Our mission

Electrify Corvallis educates our community about energy options and encourages the just and inclusive transition to a clean, renewable energy future.  We do this in order to keep the people of our community comfortable, safe and healthy, as well as to sustain life on our planet.  We support the transition in buildings and transportation by working with other organizations in our region to provide information about electrification.

Our history

Before the pandemic, a broad coalition of concerned citizens gathered to march, rally, and sponsor events to focus Corvallis’ attention on the climate emergency.  Locally, a majority of Pacific Power’s electricity is generated by coal and gas.  To address this, in the summer of 2021, some of these citizens founded Electrify Corvallis, a nonprofit organization, developed a website, and worked with local partner organizations to energize the transition from fossil fuels to an all-electric economy.  We aim to educate people that fossil fuels are the cause of the climate emergency and that solutions are available now.  Solutions center on electrification of our transportation, our buildings, and how we generate electricity.  

Our Founding Board of Directors

President/Treasurer:  Court Smith, PhD.

Cultural anthropologist taught and researched how people make resource use decisions. In retirement, he decided that electrifying was the future. Out went fossil fuels for heating space, water, and cooking in his home. Into his life came electric heat pumps, an induction stove, a tricycle, and an electric car. He seeks to help others to electrify their lives.

Vice President/Secretary:  Wendy Woods, PhD. 

Trained in aquatic ecology.  Served in Oregon State Government as a researcher and administrator of funds for nonprofits. Volunteered at all levels for nonprofit organizations.  Experience building a passive solar home. Currently assists others with energy retrofits of their older homes.

Webmaster/Member at Large: Eric Rehm, PhD.

Biological oceanographer at Sea-Bird Scientific. A research scientist and electrical engineer applying bio-optical principles to the design of oceanographic instrumentation in order to study ocean carbon cycling. Experience in solar and building energy modelling. Energy geek.