BEND, OR -- Bend has been selected as one of 50 communities vying for a $5 million prize from Georgetown University.  The Energy Prize competition challenges cities to tap their imagination to help reduce energy usage.  Mike Riley with The Environmental Center tells KBND News, "We found out about this almost a year ago, and thought this would be a great fit with our creative entrepreneurial spirit in Bend.  And, we can do more. And, this would help galvanize every one to actionon efficiency and renewables."

Over the next two years, Bend will participate in the challenge by doing things like washing clothes only in cold water and switching to LED light bulbs.  Then, in 2017, Georgetown will narrow the field down to the top 10 communities that decreased energy usage the most. Other communities competing include Fairbanks, AK, Berkley, CA and Corvallis.