Thanks to our range of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs developed over 20 years, Energy Trust was able to help customers and communities reap the benefits of clean power despite continued instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

If the theme for 2020 was grappling with the pandemic’s unprecedented disruptions to our daily lives, 2021 was about getting back to business - and navigating vaccine availability, multiple Coronavirus variants and the resulting equipment and labor shortages, market volatility and high demand for certain home upgrades. Energy Trust was able to adapt to these challenges by adjusting incentive offers and outreach in real time and managing programs across our portfolio.

As the pandemic's effects dragged on, the summer of 2021 brought a stark reminder of other pressures on our energy system and people’s lives in the form of a record-setting heat wave for the Northwest. Coupled with wildfires, heat events like these are driving up demand for technologies that help people manage and prepare for extreme weather, like air conditioners and HVAC systems that keep spaces cool and ventilated and solar systems with battery storage that can help keep the lights on during disaster events. As we’re seeing with wildfire rebuilding efforts in Southern Oregon, these upgrades can give communities reason to hope.

Providing energy upgrades can have life-saving impacts. This was something we heard repeatedly from communities and partners, along with the need for affordable housing, investment in infrastructure, and ways to help mitigate the effects of climate change and be resilient in the face of natural disasters. Energy efficiency and renewable energy have a place in all of these conversations. They help keep housing costs low, lower the cost to operate municipal facilities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and — when solar systems are paired with batteries — keep the power on when disaster strikes.

At the state level, 2021 saw the passage of a slew of legislation aimed at promoting clean energy and energy equity. While this is an exciting step forward for Oregon, we also know real change happens on the ground and in partnership with trusted community groups, like EUVALCREE in Eastern Oregon, which is helping connect Spanish-speaking residents with energy-saving opportunities. And supporting workforce diversity — something the energy industry is sorely lacking — requires collaboration with experienced business leaders like David Burchfield of Burch Energy Services. You’ll find both of their stories in this report, along with examples of how Energy Trust is supporting communities as they rebuild after wildfires and helping businesses like Meduri Farms manage energy costs.

People and communities reaped these benefits thanks to the energy they saved and generated with Energy Trust’s incentives and support. In 2021 alone, we helped Oregon and southwest Washington customers save 44 average megawatts of electricity, save 7.4 million annual therms of natural gas and generate 5.43 aMW of clean power. Those investments add up to $451 million in utility bill savings and 162,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide avoided.

Thank you to all who helped us achieve our 2021 results, including our customers, Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas, Avista, the Oregon Public Utility Commission, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Oregon Department of Energy, Oregon Housing and Community Services, trade ally contractors, cities, counties and community organizations.