New report shows Oregonians have saved $3.2 billion with Energy Trust
In 2017, Energy Trust helped Portland-area utility customers save $289 million through clean energy upgrades, including customers such as Portland Parks & Recreation and Vigor
Portland, Ore. — June 21, 2018 — Energy Trust of Oregon announced today its 2017 annual results, including cutting $3.2 billion from participating customers’ utility bills statewide since 2002. In 2017, the nonprofit organization saved more electricity than ever before, maintained record natural gas savings and supported the installation of a record 1,800 solar systems—at even lower costs than the year before.
With cash incentives, information and a network of 2,300 contractors and allied professionals, Energy Trust helped homeowners, renters, businesses, manufacturers, farmers and ranchers at more than 56,500 locations across the state cut costs with affordable, energy-saving installations in 2017.
“Energy Trust helped Portland Metro and Columbia Gorge area customers save $289 million on utility bills in 2017,” said Michael Colgrove, executive director, Energy Trust. “Building on this success, we want to engage and serve even more Oregonians in 2018 by looking more closely at how communities of color, rural communities and people with low and moderate incomes can directly benefit from clean energy upgrades.”
Energy Trust works closely with utilities to ensure customers have access to clean energy programs. Energy Trust programs are available to 1.6 million utility customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista. In 2017, the organization exceeded all performance measures set by the Oregon Public Utility Commission, including maintaining low administrative and program support costs to ensure funds flow directly to customers.
Portland area residents, businesses saved $289 million on energy bills in 2017 alone
In 2017, Energy Trust provided $66.2 million in incentives to help Portland Metro and Columbia Gorge customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power and NW Natural invest in energy-efficient and renewable energy upgrades at 33,000 homes and businesses.
Located in Portland’s inner eastside and served by Pacific Power and NW Natural, Matt Dishman Community Center serves everyone from infants to seniors who use the center’s gymnasium, game room, fitness center, multipurpose classroom, neighborhood preschool and pool. Portland Parks & Recreation made energy-efficiency improvements to the 1950s-era building, installing two natural gas-fired condensing boilers that heat the buildings and pool and upgrading to computerized controls.
“Energy Trust provided Portland Parks & Recreation with $267,000 in rebates in 2017 for energy efficiency. The bureau will use the funds to embark on yet more energy and water-saving projects,” said City of Portland Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who oversees Portland Parks & Recreation.
A customer of PGE and NW Natural, Vigor’s Swan Island shipyard is one of the largest on the West Coast, spanning 60 acres and providing jobs for up to 700 employees. The safety of those employees is one reason Vigor embarked on a $2.1 million upgrade to replace antiquated lighting at Swan Island and its Clackamas fabrication facility with brighter, more efficient LEDs. In addition to safer working conditions, Vigor is experiencing significant savings. Annual energy costs are down by about $600,000, allowing Vigor to invest in new equipment that contributes to product quality.
“We’ve seen a 10-fold reduction in maintenance needed to change bulbs, allowing employees to focus on other maintenance,” said Shawn Steele, Vigor’s facilities manager.
See detailed 2017 results and more customer stories at www.energytrust.org/annualreport.
As an independent nonprofit organization, Energy Trust helps meet Oregon’s energy needs with the cheapest and cleanest options available. Energy Trust has spurred $6.3 billion in local economic activity since 2002. On-the-ground outreach, technical services, cash-back incentives and connections to local contractors help participants cut costs with affordable, clean energy solutions. Energy Trust also helps customers power their homes and businesses with renewable energy from solar, hydropower, biopower, geothermal and wind sources. Learn more at www.energytrust.org.
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