An ambitious green jobs program in Portland, Oregon is leading the nation with an example of how local initiatives can not only convert millions of homeowners to clean and green energy, but can actually create thousands of new jobs. Clean Energy Works Portland is the result of a partnership between Green For All and the City of Portland in order to spearhead energy efficiency. Its innovative program is providing an example for how the entire country can shift a local economy to clean and green jobs through comprehensive Public-Private Partnerships and “triple bottom line” planning. The energy efficiency retrofits planned by Clean Energy Works Portland could easily result in over 100,000 local home energy efficiency conversions, but more significantly, over 10,000 new jobs. In a tough economy, smart city planning combined with entrepreneurial spirit can lift a depressed economy into a new era of smart, eco-conscious and profitable new businesses.
City of Portland proves smart local government can create a green economy
The City of Portland has taken a leadership position toward clean and green jobs, offering several innovative incentives for homeowners to switch to energy efficiency in their homes. Through the creative use of Recovery Act funding, the City of Portland has created an innovative “on-bill financing” program which will permit homeowners to complete all energy retrofits at no up-front cost, but rather to pay it off over time through a charge on their utility bills. Clean Energy Works Portland will also be the first program in the country to include a Community Workforce Agreement to ensure high-quality jobs for low income and underserved communities. These two groundbreaking programs create a perfect storm of innovation when combined with the state of Oregon’s program to remove regulatory barriers to green investment called the “Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Technology Act of 2009.” From the national, state and local government levels – smart planning can prove tremendously successful.
Effective Public Private Partnerships are key to innovation
In order to create a program that would be effective for the homeowners and financially sustainable for residents and the city, the key to success was comprehensive collaboration and planning between local government and key stakeholders throughout the community, including non-profits, private businesses, investors and community advocacy groups. By working together, the project made sure that there would be maximum benefit to the homeowners and the community at large. The Community Workforce Agreement will ensure that at least 80% of the workforce are hired locally and paid at a rate of at least 180% of minimum wage. In addition, at least 30% of all must be performed by traditionally disadvantage communities such as people of color, women and low-income residents. The Clean Energy Works Portland project is smart government meets smart community involvement and should provide an example for the entire country.
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