Clean Energy Works Portland pilot attracts $20 million federal grant; spawns new statewide nonprofit
"Clean Energy Works Oregon makes it easy for us all to invest in and benefit from the clean economy we are creating." CEWO mission statement July 2010
Clean Energy Works Oregon, a new nonprofit set up to administer a $20 million U.S. Department of Energy grant, opened its doors and convened its first board meeting July 1.
With an anticipated 5:1 match over three years, for total resources of $120 million, Clean Energy Works Oregon (CEWO) will offer up-front loans for efficiency upgrades to at least 6,000 building owners, principally homes. As in the Portland pilot, loan recipients will pay back on their utility bills.
The Obama Administration sees the grant as a jobs stimulus and has accepted a target of 1,300 new jobs to be created through CEWO.
By packaging Oregon loans with those of 24 other communities nationwide that received similar grants, DOE is hoping to create a scalable, self-sustaining business model that will attract sufficient private investment to continually replenish the revolving loan fund.
Margie Harris, Energy Trust executive director, sits on the eight-member board and serves on its executive committee. As a CEWO director, Margie will help the new entity avoid redundancy and duplication with utilities and other existing organizations. “A focus on what is best and easiest to deliver high quality customer service should be the driver,” she said.
Portland Mayor Sam Adams and Oregon Representative Jules Bailey co-chair the board. Rep. Bailey shepherded HB 2626, EEAST (Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Technology Act), through the 2009 Oregon Legislature. Clean Energy Works is emerging as the principal source of funding for EEAST pilots.
Other CEWO board members include Alan Hipólito, Verde, secretary; Betty Tamm, Umpqua Community Development Corporation, treasurer; John Berdes, Shorebank Enterprise Cascadia; Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, Green for All; and Maurice Rahming, O’Neill Electric and National Association of Minority Contractors.
Communities taking part in CEWO in addition to the City of Portland include Astoria, Klamath/Lake counties, Hood River, Rogue Valley, Clackamas County, Lake Oswego, Gresham and Hillsboro.
CEWO will engage the Home Performance Guild and Home Performance contractors in helping design the CEWO program, scheduled for a January 2011 launch.
Clean Energy Works Portland Pilot at a Glance
As of July 31, 2010:
- 733 Home Performance “test ins” done
- 237 loans signed
- 172 home upgrades completed
- 223 homes in progress, representing the work of 16 Energy Trust trade ally Home Performance contractors
- MACG launching “Changing the Climate in Cully,” the final phase of CEWP, focused on Portland’s Cully Neighborhood and aiming to upgrade 100 homes there
To bridge the gap between the Portland pilot and Clean Energy Works Oregon, which expects to begin issuing loans in January 2011, CEWP is creating a “Phase VI.” Loans will be offered for 100 or so additional homes beyond the 500 targeted for the pilot; all 16 contractors currently engaged will continue in the program.
Third quarter roundtables
Energy Trust will host the third quarter roundtable sessions September 21, 2010, through September 24, 2010, in Portland, Grants Pass and Bend. We will have a breakout session to gather feedback about the Existing Homes trade ally rating system, and are working to include training sessions for commercial lighting and Energy Trust background as separate sessions.
Since there is frequent discussion involving Oregon energy tax credits, we are working to include a speaker from the Oregon Department of Energy to help answer questions and clarify procedures during the main sessions. We will also discuss improvements to Energy Trust forms and online resources which will positively impact our trade allies.
We are developing the next roundtable agendas well in advance of the meetings, and your input and suggestions can help us improve the value of these sessions for everyone involved. The meetings are an opportunity for you to provide your comments and input, and to discuss new ideas and solutions with other trade allies and Energy Trust staff. Without your suggestions, we can only guess at your needs.
The meetings will be held:
Portland - Residential
September 21, 2010
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Monarch Hotel
12566 SE 93rd Ave
Portland, OR 97015
Portland – Commercial
September 22, 2010
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Monarch Hotel
12566 SE 93rd Ave
Portland, OR 97015
Grants Pass – Combined
September 23, 2010
12:30 pm – 3:30 pm*
Taprock Event Center
971 SE 6th St
Grants Pass, OR 97526
*("Best Practices for New Homes" training to be held 8am – 12 pm at the same location)
Bend – Combined
September 24, 2010
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
The Riverhouse
3075 N Business 97
Bend, OR 97701
Please sign up for these sessions on the Energy Trust training calendar. Also, check the calendar prior to your meeting date for more information about specific room locations and for updated agendas.
Agendas will be posted on the Energy Trust website before August 31, 2010, and we can add topics until two days prior to each meeting. We still welcome new topics and open discussion of items that don’t make it onto the agendas, since the roundtable meetings are intended to be driven by the needs of our trade allies.
To submit topics, sign up, or learn more, please contact Leana Mathews, Energy Trust trade ally coordinator, at 503-459-4070 or leana.mathews@energytrust.org. You can also contact Tom Beverly, Energy Trust trade ally network manager, at 503-445-7637 or tom.beverly@energytrust.org.
Meet Sue Fletcher, Communications and Customer Service Senior Manager
 Sue Fletcher joined Energy Trust in November 2009 as the Communications and Customer Service Senior Manager. In this role, Sue provides leadership and direction for Energy Trust communications, outreach, community relations and customer service. Sue works closely with Trade Ally Network Manager Tom Beverly and Trade Ally Coordinator Leana Mathews to ensure that trade allies are well positioned to represent Energy Trust and help customers save energy and develop renewable resources.
Sue brings to Energy Trust eight years of experience in workforce development gained at nonprofit organizations that prepare and invest in developing a skilled workforce for local employers. "Customers that invest in energy efficiency improvements and systems to develop renewable resources have a positive impact on our local economy. By connecting trade allies with customers, we receive the three-fold benefit of energy savings, renewable energy development and job creation. I am pleased to support this aspect of our organization," said Sue.
Sue has worked in the public and nonprofit sectors, serving in communications and management roles. She has an undergraduate degree in political science and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley. Sue grew up on the east coast but has considered the west coast home for the last 19 years. She and her family live in Portland. You can reach Sue at 503.546.3618 or sue.fletcher@energytrust.org.
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