The origins of Portland Clean Energy Fund
Passed in November 2018, the Portland Clean Energy Benefits Initiative is Oregon’s first ever community of color-led environmental ballot measure, led by a core Portland Clean Energy Fund Coalition, A broad coalition of over 200 endorsing organizations led by African-American, Native American, Latinx and Asian-Pacific Islander communities, including the Coalition of Communities of Color.
The Portland Clean Energy Initiative was the culmination of years of capacity building partnerships between organizations of color and the philanthropic community. Our coalition has a fundamental commitment to Portlanders who are most impacted by climate change but have been excluded from the emerging low-carbon economy: low-income people and people of color.
The PCEF Grant Program & Committee
The Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) is a municipal grant program that was established by a citizen ballot measure (the Portland Clean Energy Initiative) which passed in November 2018 with 65% support from Portland voters. PCEF distributes $44-61 million every year in clean energy funding for renewable energy, energy efficiency, job training, green infrastructure, and future innovation for all Portlanders, prioritizing low-income residents and people of color.
The revenue is raised by a 1% business license surcharge on the Portland revenue generated by retail corporations with over $1 billion in annual revenue and at least $500,000 in Portland revenue.
Nonprofit organizations, alone or in partnership with for-profit companies, schools and/or other government agencies, can apply for grants from this revenue to weatherize homes, install solar and other renewable energy projects, provide job and contractor training, expand local food production, and build green infrastructure in Portland.
The City of Portland's Bureau of Planning and Sustainability supports a nine-member community-based Grant Committee that is charged with reviewing proposals and selecting grant recipients for clean energy projects that will benefit communities of color and low-income households. Members of the committee are required to have extensive experience in the fields pertaining to the Initiative and represent the economic and racial diversity of those most impacted by the effects of climate change. At least 50% of grant-funded energy efficiency/renewable energy projects “should specifically benefit low-income residents and communities of color;” and at least 20% of all grants “shall be awarded to nonprofit organizations with a mission and track record of programs that benefit economically disadvantaged community members.”
The City of Portland’s PCEF program has also created a YouTube page where people who have received grant funds can share their stories and Grant Committee meeting recordings are posted.
News + Resources
CCC's Portland Clean Energy Fund Coalition Coordinator, Anissa Pemberton, joined Earth Day National on April 24, 2020 on the "Packing a Punch: Pass Your Own Damn Bill!" Panel. Check into 8:35 to hear Anissa talk about what building a coalition looks like and how to push the envelope on what's politically possible.