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Portland Metro and Hood River residents and businesses save more than $242 million with Energy Trust of Oregon in 2018

PORTLAND, Ore. — July 15, 2019 — In its 2018 annual report published today, Energy Trust of Oregon revealed that its residential and business customers saved millions of dollars last year on their utility bills, thanks to their participation in Energy Trust’s energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

From the Portland Metro region to Hood River, more than 28,000 customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power and NW Natural participated with Energy Trust in 2018. By improving the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses, and by generating clean renewable energy, Portland- and Hood River-area customers saved $242 million on their energy bills in 2018 alone.

One such customer is Lily Food Mart, a family-owned grocery that’s been serving Portland customers since 1984. Lily Food Mart strives to keep operating costs low. When Energy Trust trade ally Green Life LLC approached Says Jeung, the market’s manager, he was eager to learn about the advantages of LED case lighting.

With Energy Trust incentives, the 10,000-square-foot market replaced all the fixtures in its cooler, freezer and produce cases with LED technology, trimming yearly energy costs by an estimated $3,000. In addition to saving energy, Jeung appreciates how the LEDs make the display cases brighter and highlight products with excellent color.

“We’ve definitely put our products in a better light, which can’t help but increase sales,” said Jeung. “The entire process was painless. Everyone worked around the needs of our business. We’ve already pursued more Energy Trust projects.”

An innovative collaboration between Community Energy Project and Energy Trust is helping low-income Portland residents enjoy the benefits of energy efficiency and reduced energy bills. Nonprofit Community Energy Project installs heat pump water heaters in low-income homes at no cost to the participants. Sponsored by Energy Trust, the effort tests a new model of program design that taps into the networks of community-based organizations to deliver services to wider audiences.

“This program was a blessing for me,” said Burnette Holder, who contacted Community Energy Project when her aging water heater failed. “They handled everything and even showed me how to adjust the temperature if I need to.”

An Energy Trust cash incentive of $875 offset the full cost of the water heater for Holder, who will save an estimated $190 on her annual energy bill—stretching her income for other important needs.

So far, Community Energy Project and Energy Trust have helped 27 low-income Portland residents take advantage of heat pump water heaters through this small startup effort. Many more customers are expected to benefit in 2019.

See detailed 2018 results and more customer stories at www.energytrust.org/annualreport.

Statewide, Energy Trust’s customers saved $418 million on their utility bills in 2018

In 2018, Energy Trust supported energy-efficiency upgrades and renewable energy installations at more than 48,000 Oregon and Southwest Washington homes, businesses, factories and farms through a network of more than 2,300 trade ally contractors.

In total, Energy Trust delivered $94.3 million in cash incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy investments to customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista. Since 2002, Energy Trust has invested $1.8 billion in utility customer funds to deliver benefits including $7.7 billion in total utility bill savings over time and $7.3 billion added to Oregon’s economy.

“When we save energy, utilities do not need to generate, purchase or distribute it to meet the needs of their customers,” said Michael Colgrove, executive director, Energy Trust. “This saves customers money and more. The benefits of energy efficiency also include a healthier environment from fewer carbon dioxide emissions, stronger local economies and more resilient communities.”

In 2018, Energy Trust also developed 10 diversity, equity and inclusion goals to reach new customers and better reflect the communities it serves through new program designs and deeper relationships with local organizations. Among these new goals, Energy Trust has pledged to expand participation of minority- and women-owned businesses in its Trade Ally Network by 50% and to increase the number of projects completed with these businesses by 15%.

These new diversity, equity and inclusion goals have helped guide Energy Trust’s strategic plan for 2020-2024. To find out more information about Energy Trust’s draft 2020-2024 Strategic Plan and submit feedback, visit www.energytrust.org/strategicplan. Public comment is accepted through Friday, August 2, 2019.

Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping utility customers benefit from saving energy and generating renewable power. Our services, cash incentives and energy solutions have helped participating customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista save $3.4 billion on energy bills. Our work helps keep energy costs as low as possible, creates jobs and builds a sustainable energy future. Learn more at www.energytrust.org or call 1-866-368-7878.

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Category: General News
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