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Innovative “Clean Energy Works” Model Brings Green Jobs and Energy Savings to Portland
by Adrienne DeAngelo
A contractor works on a Portland home
Photo credit: CEWP website
The Achievement
In March 2011, Clean Energy Works Portland (CEWP) and Green For All completed a 500-home energy efficiency pilot and is now leading the launch of a state-wide effort to upgrade 6,000 homes over the next three years. The program used $1.1 million of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) formula funds to seed a revolving loan fund for home energy remodels. The loan fund leveraged additional public and private investment to spur nearly $7 million in private homeowner investment.
Background: In 2009, CEWP launched the first program of its kind in the nation to enable on-bill financing for home energy upgrades. Seeing further potential for the CEWP project to provide green industry jobs, the national organization Green For All led a local coalition to create and implement a “High Road Agreement” with CEWP to ensure that a qualified, diverse workforce was trained to participate in the upgrades.
To achieve the work quality and community workforce objectives laid out in the Agreement, Clean Energy Works’ program partners, including the City of Portland, Energy Trust of Oregon, Conservation Services Group, and the Stakeholder Committee, developed a combination of requirements, incentives, and supports for contractors.
The Benefits
As of March 1, 2011 when only 434 homes had been retrofitted (now there are 500 retrofits), the City has already seen a wide range of benefits:
- 49 therms of gas or 7,675 kwH of electricity saved annually per home
- More than 48,000 hours of construction work were generated
- 22 of 29 new construction hires came from a qualified training program
- 49.5% of the trade/technical hours were worked by people of color
- 22.9% of the pilot dollars went to minority- and women-owned firms
- 381 construction workers were employed on pilot projects
- $24.66/hour was the average wage, 180% above state or federal minimum wage
Not only are homes are becoming more energy efficient but quality jobs are being created and people are moving out of poverty. 
Green for All compiled a brief report highlighting the impact of that investment in terms of high-quality job creation, equitable hiring, inclusive business opportunities, standardized training, and energy conservation.
>> Read the Full Report
>> View a Video about the CEWP/Green for All Partnership
