Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 9:14am PDT | Modified: May 19, 2010, 9:14 AM

Efficiency matters — especially here

by John Morris
Fluid Market Strategies

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Many recognize Portland as a national leader in sustainability. Our city is regularly ranked in the top three depending on what publication you are reading and how they’re evaluating sustainability. I would argue that Portland is also a national leader in delivering energy efficiency to the country.

Energy efficiency is a central component of the larger sustainability framework that includes transportation, water, purchasing, waste management and social/employee benefits. I believe that energy efficiency should be considered the key economic driver for sustainability efforts in the private sector because the more energy efficient organizations become the lower their operational costs are thus creating a competitive advantage.

Today several firms are leading the charge with innovative energy efficiency program designs and mechanisms. Companies such as Earth Advantage, ECOS Consulting, Blue Tree Strategies, PECI, Fluid Market Strategies, McKinstry and Conservation Services Group are all delivering solutions and helping to finance local and regional energy efficiency programs. These companies — call them our efficiency cluster — work closely with Energy Trust of Oregon, Bonneville Power Administration, Portland General Electric and other utilities around the country.

Most days, companies in our cluster are managing existing contracts to maximize energy efficiency opportunities. Additionally, our companies are competing with each other to secure future work. Recently however, energy efficiency companies are much more willing to partner on utility projects. We are also becoming much more engaged on policy and legislative initiatives within Oregon and Washington that increases awareness of energy efficiency as a critical resource for our region. I believe this level of collaboration is what sets Portland energy efficiency companies apart from other companies around the country.

Collectively, we partner to deliver the best-in-class energy efficiency programs in the country, where our firms consistently receive national recognition for program design, reporting, and marketing.

We have also used our collective voice to effect change on the policy front and this track record of partnering and working cooperatively will position Portland firms to compete for significant federal funding opportunities that will deliver jobs and entrench Portland as a driver in the new clean economy.

I would argue that will only happen by developing strong working relationships to enhance our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. Recently a number of companies who are members of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council considered going after a $250 million dollar contract that would have set up a large energy efficiency research hub in the Northwest. This is just one example of future opportunities I see our group of companies competing for.

Most recently, in Oregon, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council is working with several of the firms in the cluster to develop and drive energy efficiency legislation in the upcoming 2011 session. We recognize that by working together, we can significantly expand energy efficiency opportunities. This will among other things, drive job creation, lower operational costs for Oregon companies, and most importantly continue to protect our environment.

Specifically, companies within our cluster are considering ways to deliver energy efficiency directly to schools and distinct business zones. These mechanisms if adopted by the state will solidify our state as national leaders.

At the end of the day, the firms I mentioned above all have a healthy respect for each other. We have begun the process of working closely together to adopt a collective vision of what a robust energy efficiency portfolio in Oregon could look like. Our firms have been greatly aided by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council, Climate Solutions and Strategies 360 by facilitating working group discussions and driving a cohesive legislative agenda. What this means for citizens of Portland is a commitment to job creation, energy efficiency in schools and businesses and protecting our prized environment.

John Morris is a director at Fluid Market Strategies, a marketing and program management firm focused on projects with an environmental or social benefit, specializing in energy efficiency and conservation.