Explore The Annual Report
2023 Annual Report
Clean, affordable energy for everyone
From the executive director
Michael Colgrove, Executive Director
Our results in 2023 go beyond energy savings and generation. While we exceeded all of our energy goals, we also launched new programs and partnerships to support people and businesses as they navigate rising costs and the effects of climate change. This work also promotes cleaner air, more resilient communities and equitable benefits for all Oregonians. Our 2023 results illustrate what we can accomplish by working together:
- With communities, to help meet growing energy needs through collaborations like those in Cottage Grove and Creswell that boost clean energy adoption in partnerships with local leaders and utilities.
- With community-based organizations to engage customers we haven’t reached in the past. These are trusted leaders in their communities, and we rely on their expertise and connections, like in delivering our Community Partner Funding incentives to priority customers and working as Solar Ambassadors to connect more people to solar energy.
- With our Trade Ally Network, the backbone of the state’s clean energy contractor infrastructure, along with trade and workforce development organizations like Earth Advantage and EnerCity Collaborative. Together, we’re supporting the next generation of clean energy professionals with new mentorship and business development offers.
- With small business owners, who have kept their doors open amid economic and climate challenges. We’re helping them save on energy costs by making it easy to upgrade outdated lighting and working with leaders in small towns to get the word out about this no-cost service.
Thank you to all who worked with us in 2023, including our customers, the Oregon Public Utility Commission, Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas, Avista, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Oregon Department of Energy, Oregon Housing and Community Services, trade ally contractors, cities, counties and community organizations.
Top photo: Cascadia Commons, Portland
Community Partner Funding
We partner with trusted community organizations to deliver higher incentives to customers with low and moderate incomes, customers of color and rural customers.
IMPACT SINCE 2002
Our investments create lasting benefits for customers and communities
1,120
aMW
electricity saved and generated
100
million annual therms
natural gas saved
42.9
million metric tons
of carbon dioxide avoided
11.2
million equivalent cars
removed from Oregon roads for one year
54
community organizations
partnering to serve customers in diverse and rural communities
765,000
homes saving energy
with clean energy upgrades
1,186
small businesses
received free lighting upgrades
16,600
professionals
employed by trade ally contractors
$7.2
billion
saved by participants on utility bills
$12.1
billion
added to Oregon's economy
90,400
equivalent jobs
created through economic investments
$1.6
billion
cash incentives and services distributed to people and businesses
Success Stories
We invested in customers and communities to help reach their goals
"My dream is to see our communities included and experience the benefits of clean energy for all."
Maria Dolores Torres, Adelante Mujeres
"The no-cost lighting upgrades not only transformed our space but have also allowed us to invest more in other parts of our business."
- Randy Lauer
3-46 GRIT CrossFit gym
Business
Read the story
"There are so many opportunities out there. I’m really interested in pursuing work in energy auditing and this path could open some really awesome doors in the future."
- Abasi Umoh
Community Energy Project
Workforce
Read the story
"Partnering with utilities on community-focused programs can pay off with lower energy use in the short term and avoid expensive infrastructure investments in the long term."
- Andrew Shepard
Energy Trust
Innovation
Read the story
"Strategic Energy Management helps us educate administrators about equipment health and how upgrades will save us money in the long run."
- Layne Hayes
Lebanon Community Hospital
Healthcare
Read the storyDiversity, Equity and Inclusion
Read highlights from our 2023 diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, which are helping us better serve communities of color, customers with low incomes and rural communities
Strategic Plan
We completed the fourth year of our 2020-2024 strategic plan, making progress in five focus areas and implementing strategies to deliver immediate and long-term clean energy benefits to customers and communities
| FOCUS AREA | PROGRESS INDICATORS | PROGRESS TO DATE | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| We engage customers with relevant energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, information and services, including information and services specifically for underserved customers | We achieve our annual savings and generation goals and continue to use multi-year planning processes to identify ambitious longer-term energy targets that incorporate emerging sources of savings | On track: met or exceeded our annual savings and generation goals for 2023; planned for 2024 investments in the capabilities, staffing and market support needed to deliver more savings in future years and maximize the impact of new complementary funding expected to enter the market. | Green On track |
| We meet or exceed the goals we establish to increase the diversity of program participants | On track: reported on metrics for progress to goals in current diversity, equity and inclusion plan; began reporting to the OPUC in 2023 on results of new equity metrics, which were all met or exceeded. | Green On track |
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| We strengthen the value we deliver to customers by linking energy efficiency and renewable energy to the approaches utilities are using to meet changing customer energy needs | We develop a framework to value, deliver, report and evaluate energy efficiency and renewable energy resource opportunities in targeted locations in collaboration with utilities | On track: conducted targeted load management (TLM) feasibility studies for sites identified by Cascade Natural Gas and Avista; began exploring TLM opportunities with PGE and Pacific Power and how they could apply to the non-wires solution concepts in their distribution system plan filings. | Green On track |
| We implement and evaluate initiatives designed to drive customer adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in targeted areas | On track: participating in PGE’s Smart Grid Test Bed Collaboration, which began offering incentives in late 2023 with specialized efficiency and solar + storage offers for residential, commercial and multifamily properties. | Green On track |
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| We provide objective information and analyses to policymakers and implementers to support development and implementation of energy policies | We establish a system for monitoring regulatory and policy initiatives. We contribute data analyses and technical expertise during policy development and participate in policy implementation when there is potential customer benefit related to energy efficiency and renewable energy | On track: provided feedback to the Oregon Department of Energy on the design and implementation of new rebate programs for residential customers with low and moderate incomes; worked with city of Portland staff to develop a shared strategy for combining funding from Energy Trust and the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund; supported cities and counties developing and implementing sustainability, climate change or clean energy plans and programs; provided briefings to more than a dozen legislators and legislative staff members. | Green On track |
| We maximize the effectiveness and reach of public purpose charge funding by leveraging additional funding to advance clean energy investments that deliver multiple benefits | We acquire more energy savings and renewable generation than would otherwise be achieved with only public purpose charge funding | On track: reviewed more than 75 opportunities for funding outside Energy Trust’s core ratepayer funding, including federal opportunities from Inflation Reduction Act; partnered with Oregon Department of Energy and Bonneville Environmental Foundation on Solar for All application; led coordination efforts with state and local agencies to establish best practices for braiding different funding sources. | Green On track |
| We coordinate with more organizations and communities where their additional resources help accomplish mutually supportive objectives | On track: enrolled 12 new community-based organizations in Community Partner Funding program; awarded two rounds of Working Together Grants to 20 organizations across the state. | Green On track |
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| We establish a concept agreement with the Oregon Public Utility Commission and at least one natural gas utility to assess a joint carbon reduction effort | On track, managing: developed and launched a hybrid HVAC pilot to evaluate the benefits of heat pumps installed with gas furnaces in existing gas heated homes; worked with Avista to begin offering incentives to its interruptible and gas transport customers; community-specific collaboration with one natural gas utility did not move into implementation. | Yellow On track, managing |
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| We enhance our ability to quickly and effectively respond to changes, needs and new opportunities | We achieve diversity, equity and inclusion goals for employee hiring and recruitment, and for the board of directors | On track: 35% of applicants in 2023 identified as BIPOC, as did 18% of new hires; added three board members including one enrolled member of the Klamath Tribes and one enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. | Green On track |
| Annual surveys indicate that staff are significantly aware of how annual goal setting, business planning and prioritization enables flexible resourcing of existing and new initiatives | On track: staff surveys show alignment around common goals and understanding of strategic direction and improvement in the percent of staff who feel empowered by managers to explore new ideas and take risks. | Green On track |
Accountability
We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and overseen by the Oregon Public Utility Commission
Accountable and Transparent
- Every dollar received and invested is accounted for in monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements.
- Financial statements are audited annually by an independent auditor; Energy Trust has a perfect track record of unmodified financial opinions.
- Each kilowatt hour and therm acquired is reported in quarterly and annual reports.
- All major programs are evaluated by a third party.
- We contract for an independent management audit every five years.
Revenues and Expenditures
- Revenues totaled $222.7 million.
- Expenditures totaled $225.4 million.
- Delivered $121.6 million in incentives, with most of the remainder for delivery of customer services.
- Maintained low administrative and program support costs at 7.6% ($16.4 million) of revenue received under the OPUC funding agreement.
| Category | 2023 OPUC Performance Measures | 2023 Results | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric efficiency | |||
| PGE | Save at least 21.7 aMW | Exceeded, with 29.9 aMW saved | Green Exceeded |
| Levelized cost not to exceed 4.9 cents/kWh | Within requirement, levelized cost at 3.7 cents/kWh | Green Within requirement |
|
| Pacific Power | Save at least 16.7 aMW | Exceeded, with 23.2 aMW saved | Green Exceeded |
| Levelized cost not to exceed 4.0 cents/kWh | Within requirement, levelized cost at 3.6 cents/kWh | Green Within requirement |
|
| Natural gas efficiency | |||
| NW Natural | Save at least 4.3 million annual therms | Exceeded, with 5.5 million annual therms saved | Green Exceeded |
| Levelized cost not to exceed 62 cents/therm | Within requirement, levelized cost at 50.4 cents/therm | Green Within requirement |
|
| Cascade Natural Gas | Save at least 0.49 million annual therms | Exceeded, with 0.60 million annual therms saved | Green Exceeded |
| Levelized cost not to exceed 74 cents/therm | Within requirement, levelized cost at 50.8 cents/therm | Green Within requirement |
|
| Avista | Save at least 0.36 million annual therms | Exceeded, with 0.45 million annual therms saved | Green Exceeded |
| Levelized cost not to exceed 64 cents/therm | Within requirement, levelized cost at 56.9 cents/therm | Green Within requirement |
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| Renewable energy | For project and market development assistance, report annual results, including number of projects supported, milestones met and documentation of results from market and technology perspective | In compliance | Green In compliance |
| Obtain at least 4.3 aMW of installed generation of standard net-metered Solar program projects | Exceeded, with 6.72 aMW of installed generation from standard solar projects | Green Exceeded |
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| For solar projects funded outside of the Solar program’s standard, net-metered incentive offer, report sources of funding for projects and the criteria for selection | In compliance, paid incentives for two small-scale community solar projects selected for funding as part of a 2021 solicitation for small-scale community solar projects. Energy Trust also paid incentives for a large community solar project that was selected as part of a 2022 competitive solicitation to expand low-income capacity of general market community solar projects beyond the required 10% capacity. All funding came from the public purpose charge solar budget. | Green In compliance |
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| Invest at least $3.9 million, 25% of public purpose revenue for renewables, to provide activities, resources and technologies for low and moderate income customers | In compliance, invested $6.8 million or 35% of revenues to benefit customers with low and moderate incomes | Green In compliance |
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| Financial integrity | Receive an unmodified financial opinion from an independent auditor on annual financial statements | In compliance, with an unmodified financial audit opinion for 2023 | Green In compliance |
| Administrative/program support costs | Keep administrative/program support costs below 8% of annual revenues (no more than $17,167,174) | Temporary waiver granted, with administrative/program support costs of 7.6% of annual revenues ($16,402,309) | Performance measure waived |
| Administrative/program support cost growth limited to 10% year-over-year increase (no more than $1,408,386) | Temporary waiver granted, with administrative/program support cost growth of 16.5% year-over-year ($2,318,450) | Performance measure waived | |
| Staffing expenditures | Staffing cost growth is limited to 9% year-over-year increase (no more than $1,523,368) | Temporary waiver granted, with staffing cost growth of 15.1% year-over-year ($2,558,413) | Performance measure waived |
| Customer satisfaction | Demonstrate greater than 85% satisfaction rates for interaction with program representatives and overall satisfaction | In compliance, with a 94% satisfaction rate for interaction with program representatives and a 94% overall satisfaction rate | Green In compliance |
| Benefit/cost ratios | Report utility system and societal perspective annually. Report significant mid-year changes as warranted in quarterly reports. | In compliance, with no mid-year changes | Green In compliance |
| Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and market transformation | Report annually: • Savings and costs • Savings strategies • Show Energy Trust direction to NEEA through committee membership • Summary of Energy Trust direction to NEEA • Summary of NEEA initiatives Energy Trust opts out of and why | In compliance | Green In compliance |
| Diversity, equity and inclusion | Increased support to nonprofit organizations with a purpose to serve environmental justice communities or to support nonprofit-led initiatives serving environmental justice communities. (2023 target: $1 .8 million spent, a 15% increase from the $1.6 million spent in 2022; support can be for incentives, training and funding for projects). | In compliance, Energy Trust spent $4.5 million in 2023 to support nonprofit organizations and nonprofit-led initiatives serving environmental justice communities. This includes Community Partner Funding incentives, Working Together Grant awards, contracts to support organizations’ capacity building, contracts to support workforce development and various other contracts or sponsorships. | Green In compliance |
| Increased funding to support targeted outreach to environmental justice communities, including funding for community ambassadors, education, and workshops with the addition of 10 new outreach representatives. (2023 target: 10 additional combined FTEs or community ambassadors focused on this effort compared to 16.5 FTEs and 12 community ambassadors in 2022). | In compliance, Energy Trust added 13.25 combined FTEs focused on this effort for a total of 29.75 FTEs. In addition, Energy Trust supported 13 ambassadors through its Solar Ambassador pilot serving communities of color, 10 community-based liaisons for the Existing Buildings program and five positions through University of Oregon’s Resource Assistance for Rural Environments program. | Green In compliance |
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| Two new and expanded low-cost and no-cost offers to reduce energy burden created and launched. (2023 target: 10 total offers, a 25% increase from the 8 offers available in 2022). | In compliance, Energy Trust created two no-cost delivery pilots to install ducted heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. In 2023, Energy Trust continued to deliver and expanded other offers including: no-cost online home energy assessments, no-cost in-home energy assessments, a no-cost ductless heat pump pilot, no- and low-cost updates for manufactured homes, low-cost smart thermostats, low-cost direct install ceiling insulation, Strategic Energy Management for affordable multifamily housing providers and no-cost cooling workshops for residents of affordable multifamily housing. | Green In compliance |
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| Solar and solar-with-storage system projects supported for low- and moderate-income residents in areas with limited infrastructure or high energy burden by working with five community partners supporting program creation. (2023 target: at least five community-based organizations engaged in creating and evolving the solar + storage offer). | In compliance, Energy Trust staff engaged with the following community-based organizations: African American Alliance for Homeownership, Adelante Mujeres, Unite Oregon, Solar Oregon, Illinois Valley Community Development Organization and Unete. Their feedback helped staff set incentive amounts and highlighted outreach, trade ally engagement and other needs. | Green In compliance |
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