We did it! 100% clean and fossil-free Multnomah county buildings
Oregon’s stunning natural beauty and history of clean energy innovation position it as a natural climate leader that can inspire action in the Northwest and beyond. However, in recent years Oregon's progress on climate action has stagnated while a growing list of states and territories have adopted carbon pricing policies, enacted more robust energy efficiency standards, and committed to a timeline for transitioning to 100% clean electricity.
Climate Solutions is working in Oregon to:
We must ensure that we are addressing historic injustices and current inequities that disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous and people of color as well as low-income communities. Without incorporating these injustices into our climate solutions, we will not succeed in creating a livable and just world where we can all thrive.
Climate Solutions is a supporting member of the 100% Clean Energy Opportunity Campaign, a statewide coalition advocating for the adoption of a 100% clean energy commitment, establishment of a special utility rate class for low-income Oregonians, and home upgrades to help improve the health of families across the state. Multnomah County and the cities of Milwaukie and Portland have already made groundbreaking commitments to 100 percent clean and renewable energy. We are helping them develop implementation plans to achieve these goals, and working with other cities and counties in Oregon to develop a groundswell of support for a 100% clean energy future.
The transportation sector is Oregon's largest source of climate pollution, and according to our recent transportation research report, decarbonizing our grid, while both electrifying our transportation system and reducing our vehicle miles traveled are key ways to clean it up. We are working with local governments, transit districts, and utility providers to equitably accelerate transportation electrification by adopting medium and heavy duty zero-emission regulations, building more publicly accessible and affordable charging stations, promoting financial incentives for individual and fleet EV purchases, supporting transportation options and programs that are inclusive to community needs, encouraging transit agencies to buy zero-emission electric buses, and working in coalition to advocate for a clean, and just transportation system.
Heating and powering our homes and businesses generates a substantial amount of our climate-changing pollution and contributes to energy burden experienced disproportionately by low-income communities, renters and communities of color (paying three times more than average). We are working with partners to help Oregon move toward constructing homes and buildings that produce as much energy as they use - net zero energy buildings. If all new homes and buildings were energy efficient, we would significantly reduce our climate pollution, drastically cut energy costs for owners and renters (decreasing energy burden), and improve air quality where we live and work.
The fossil fuel industry wants to keep us hooked on dangerous energy sources and use our state to expand their profits. With our urging, Oregon has already taken several momentous steps by stopping Portland General Electric from building a new fracked gas plant and ending Oregon's dependence on coal-fired power. We will continue sending a clear message that expanding fossil fuel infrastructure is not welcome in Oregon.
Read on for the latest updates on Climate Solutions' work in Oregon:
by Jonathan Lee on April 21, 2021
Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution ensuring all new county-owned buildings—including libraries, courthouses,…
by Jonathan Lee on April 15, 2021
The Multnomah County Commission just unanimously approved a resolution that will ensure all new county buildings —including county libraries,…
by Jonathan Lee on April 14, 2021
This resolution ensures that all public buildings in Multnomah County, Oregon are built fossil-free from the start.
by Meredith Connolly on April 14, 2021
We're pleased to report forward progress on two of our high-priority climate bills.
by Jonathan Lee on March 30, 2021
Just over a year ago, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed Executive Order
by Jonathan Lawson on March 26, 2021
Clean energy advocates in Oregon strategize for progress on electrical grid and EVs. Meanwhile, US banks are investing in climate chaos.
by Jonathan Lee on March 12, 2021
By committing to 100% clean energy, Oregon is investing in new job opportunities, economic recovery, healthier air, lower utility bills, and a safer…
by Meredith Connolly on March 12, 2021
Oregon continues to pump out more climate pollution every year, but we can pass 100% Clean right now to lay the foundation for a clean energy-based…
by Victoria Paykar on March 4, 2021
Ensuring that the future of Oregon’s transportation is electric—not burning fossil fuels—is critical for cleaning up our air and for achieving our…
by Meredith Connolly on February 24, 2021
As the historic wildfires that devastated Oregon last September and the most recent ice storms make clear, climate chaos is here and harming Oregon’s…
by Jonathan Lawson on February 24, 2021
Our upcoming webinar will focus on opportunities at the national, tribal and state levels in 2021. With Don Sampson (Affiliated Tribes of Northwest…
by Jonathan Lawson on January 28, 2021
by Zach Baker on January 22, 2021
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has proposed exempting the state's fossil gas power plants from their Climate Protection Program…
by Jonathan Lee on January 19, 2021
Every two years, the Oregon Department of Energy releases its
by Jonathan Lee on January 15, 2021
Join our discussion exploring what powers our energy system today, where the trends are headed, and it all means for an energy-smart, climate-safe…