Portland Clean Energy Fund Coalition Celebrates First Anniversary of Ballot Measure’s Victory

PORTLAND, OR -- Today, on the one-year anniversary of the passage of the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Initiative, the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) coalition released a video about the ballot measure that passed in a landslide in 2018.

Last November, PCEF made history as the first ballot initiative created and led by communities of color to fund climate justice and jobs in the United States. The coalition steering committee consists of 11 frontline and environmental groups who helped develop and pass the initiative on November 6, 2018.

VIEW THE VIDEO HERE.

The initiative addresses climate, economic, and racial justice by providing yearly funding for clean energy job training, renewable energy projects, and energy efficiency work. By charging large retail corporations a 1% “Clean Energy Surcharge”, the fund will provide as much as $54 to $71 million in new annual revenue for clean energy and clean energy jobs in Portland.

In the year before and since the groundbreaking victory, the measure has faced attacks and smear efforts from big corporations who don’t want to pay their fair share. PCEF continues to serve as a national example of how the energy transition can be designed and implemented to benefit all members of the community, especially those who are most impacted like people of color and low income residents. 

Since the measure passed, the coalition has worked with the City of Portland to hire and appoint Portland Clean Energy Fund staff and grant committee members. This talented and diverse group of people will be responsible for setting up the fund and continuing to center the needs of the community in its implementation. 

“Nearly every step of the way, we faced opposition and skeptics saying it couldn’t be done. What kept us going was the spirit of the movement and our vision to bring communities of color and low income communities to the center of the transition to a clean energy economy. On election night one year ago, Portland achieved a historic victory -- not only were we the first community of color-led initiative to campaign to fund climate justice and jobs, and likely in the country -- we were the first to win!” said Jenny Lee, Advocacy Director at the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon. 

“Like all wins led by communities of color, PCEF is under attack, threatened by mega-corporations. Our coalition is strong and fending off these attacks and working with partners to develop solutions where our communities are impacted,” said Tony DeFalco, Executive Director of Verde. “Together with the city, we’ve made huge progress in implementing this innovative measure, but the city needs to accelerate its progress by focusing on community engagement and getting funds out the door to get climate action now.”

“Our coalition is powerful because we have the leadership of groups that are most impacted by the climate crisis, and racial and economic inequities, combined with the grassroots power of environmental organizations,” said Laura Stevens, Senior Organizing Representative with the Sierra Club. “We’re excited for people across the country to learn about the groundbreaking work happening in Portland, and to hear the stories of the diverse group of people who have already succeeded and continue to push for a cleaner, healthier, more equitable city. Coalitions that authentically represent the most vulnerable communities can and should be fostered everywhere. Community by community, this is how we’ll achieve a clean energy future for everyone.”