Mission and Approach
Working to Build a Bright Future
Energy Trust is dedicated to helping 1.6 million utility customers in Oregon and Southwest Washington save energy and generate renewable power.
We provide comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, and our success is measured in kilowatt hours of electricity saved or produced with renewable energy, therms of natural gas saved and efficient and effective delivery of services to utility customers.
Mission and Purpose
Energy Trust is committed to providing comprehensive, sustainable energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions to those we serve.
As an independent, customer-focused nonprofit, staying true to this mission has earned us valuable credibility with customers, stakeholders and the energy industry.
Whether a small home improvement project or a large capital investment for a business, we help customers move along the path to cheaper, cleaner energy. Customers’ energy-saving and renewable power projects put money back into their pockets and grow Oregon’s clean energy economy.
An Innovative Structure
We are a resource for customers, providing information, cash incentives and technical assistance to help them invest in energy-saving or renewable energy projects. We coordinate our services with the utilities of our funding customers: Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista. Read more about our affiliated utilities >
We are organized to serve customers with services in four major market sectors: residential, commercial/public, industrial/agricultural and renewable energy. Program management contractors, program delivery contractors and other service providers deliver the majority of programs. This allows us to leverage outside expertise, and stay nimble and flexible—ready to respond when customers are ready to invest.
Many services are delivered to customers by more than 2,300 independent Oregon and Southwest Washington businesses as trade ally contractors and program allies.
Accountable and Transparent
We are guided by a volunteer board of directors and two advisory councils, and are overseen by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC).
- Every dollar received and invested is accounted for in monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements.
- A portion of projects are evaluated by a third party to ensure energy savings and generation occurred at the level we expected.
- Each kilowatt hour and therm acquired is reported in quarterly and annual reports.
- Public board meetings include discussion and approval of annual budgets, action plans, program strategies and contracts.
Through our grant agreement with the OPUC, we operate to achieve annual minimum performance measures, report quarterly and annually on progress to annual and five-year goals and contract for an independent management audit every five years.