City Cast Portland logo
September 27, 2026

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One Oregon City is Lowering Energy Costs — Presented By City Cast Portland

City Cast Portland

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One Oregon City is Lowering Energy Costs — Presented By City Cast Portland

00:00:00
View all City Cast Portland episodes

What’s a seemingly small project in Portland that’s made a big difference? About 12 miles away in the Oregon suburb of Tualatin, a drinking water pipe has just been fitted with a seamless electrical turbine, so that an existing utility can now have a dual purpose. David is joined by Nic Westendorf, Tualatin’s deputy public works director, to talk about the power of thinking local, using existing tools, and looking ahead to a sustainable future to inform what we do today.

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Portland

Stay connected to City Cast Portland and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
November 6

Local and National Races That Defied Expectations

Portland voted, and the results are full of surprises — and even a few "wait, really?" moments. Host Claudia Meza is joined by Jake Weigl...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
November 5

The Unspoken Rules of Mushroom Hunting in Oregon

To kick off peak winter mushroom foraging season, we’re revisiting a conversation with Wild Solitude Guiding founder and seasoned mushroo...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
November 4

Oregon's Election Results Are In (Mostly). Here's What Surprised Us

Today we're breaking down the first results from Tuesday's midterm elections. What are the early takeaways, and what could they mean for...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
November 3

Nonprofit Abandons Native Patients at Sauvie Island, Cops Want to Use Banned AI, and Columbia's Doomsday Bunker Giveaway

We're talking about a St. Helens nonprofit drug treatment program that continues to leave Native American patients homeless on Portland s...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
November 2

A County Chair Front-Runner’s Endorsements Are Crumbling, a Ballot Measure Is Snubbed, and Other Election Coverage Updates

We’ll be talking about all the last minute updates surrounding our city and county races.  Plus, some exciting news from the Portlan...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
November 1

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Who Controls Austin’s Autonomous Vehicles? — Presented By City Cast Portland

When you think of Waymo, you might not yet think of Portland. But you should definitely be thinking of Austin, Texas. State law governing...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
October 30

Your Guide to November 2026 in Portland

Whether you’re going to the opera for the first time, getting a head start on your holiday shopping, or celebrating our region’s olive ha...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
October 29

How To Guarantee Your Ballot Gets Counted, Another Suburban School District Eyeing Closures, and Listener Mail

Today we're discussing everything you need to know about how to vote in the upcoming election — including deadlines, how ranked-choice is...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
October 28

The Auto Tycoon Buying Up Downtown Portland. Plus, 800 City Workers Ready To Strike and Portland Etiquette Gripes

We're talking about how hundreds of Portland city workers may go on strike as soon as next week. We’re also digging into the Las Vegas-ba...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
October 27

The Surprising History of Our Local Exports, From Tuna to Tofurkey

Portland is famous for its music, coffee, craft beer, and a little sneaker brand called Nike — but our city and state’s influence goes fa...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art