PORTLAND, Ore. — September 14, 2020 — Energy Trust of Oregon’s board of directors has authorized staff to enter into a program management contract with TRC Environmental and a program delivery contract with CLEAResult to deliver key commercial and industrial energy efficiency programs for utility customers in Oregon and Southwest Washington.  

Together with these contractors, Energy Trust will continue to serve customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista with technical information and cash incentives to make energy-efficient upgrades to commercial and multifamily buildings, and high-efficiency lighting improvements in commercial, multifamily and industrial buildings.  

TRC and CLEAResult will bring expertise and experience delivering cost-effective energy efficiency programs, developing innovative solutions, increasing subcontracting opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses and community-based organizations, and serving communities of color, customers with low incomes and rural customers. These contracts support Energy Trust in delivering on its mission to serve all utility customers with clean, affordable energy solutions that save customers energy, lower their utility bills and bring additional economic and environmental benefits. 

As program management contractor, TRC will design, develop and implement Energy Trust’s Existing Buildings program with a focus on serving communities of color, customers with low incomes and rural customers. This contract includes managing and delivering services and incentives for energy-efficient, non-lighting projects at existing commercial buildings and existing multifamily properties. It also includes providing energy performance management offers, which help commercial customers save energy through no- and low-cost operations and maintenance changes. By working with these Energy Trust programs in 2019, customers at more than 6,600 sites received $36.9 million in incentives and saved more than 20.5 average megawatts of electricity and 1.8 million therms of natural gas last year. 

As program delivery contractor, CLEAResult will deliver Energy Trust’s commercial, multifamily and industrial lighting offerings, also with a focus on underserved customers. Last year, commercial and industrial customers who participated in Energy Trust’s lighting offerings saved 14.8 aMW and received $22 million in incentives. 

Energy Trust will negotiate with each contractor for a three-year contract with two optional one-year extensions. It is board policy and national best practice to periodically bid out contracts to ensure value for utility customers. 

The contracts will start January 1, 2021, and separate contracts will be negotiated for the interim transition period to ensure seamless experiences for utility customers and trade ally contractors. Energy Trust estimates the program delivery portion of the contracts for 2021 will be up to $15.5 million for TRC Environmental and up to $4 million for CLEAResult, distributed across customer and contractor outreach; operations, processing and reporting; program management; technical/engineering support and program marketing. 

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 $8.2 billion on energy bills over time. 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. 

END