Clean Energy Works expands statewide

A home energy savings program that began in Portland is nearly ready for its statewide launch.

The Clean Energy Works program, which began as a weatherization project for 500 Portland homes, could receive $193,000 from the city to help create a statewide business model. Clean Energy Works administrators received a $20 million federal grant in April that would help offer the program throughout Oregon.

The Portland City Council is expected to vote on the city grant at its June 30 meeting.

The Clean Energy Works program helps Portland homeowners finance and install energy efficiency upgrades, such as insulation and low-energy appliances. The program is expected to eventually create 3,000 contracting jobs in Portland alone.

Portland had tested the program as part of its own Climate Action Plan. The climate plan aims to reduce total energy use of all buildings built before 2010 by 25 percent. Partners in the program include Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, the Energy Trust of Oregon, NW Natural, Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, Shorebank Enterprise Cascadia, Work Systems, Inc. and Multnomah County.

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