Equitably growing a green economy in Portland

Susan Anderson

Thanks to favorable state and local policies and incentives - including Portland’s Climate Action Plan and Economic Development Strategy, and the Business Energy Tax Credit - Portland is home to one of the most significant concentrations of firms in the clean energy sector. This supports our city’s status as a national leader in sustainable industry jobs. For example, nearly 40 solar energy firms call the Portland area home. Equally important, we have a growing supply of sustainability-experienced employees. The region possesses talent clusters 84 percent greater than similar sized regions for renewable energy and 43 percent greater for environmental services and recycling.

In short, when clean/green tech and related firms seek a location to form or expand their businesses, Portland is at or near the top of the list. Companies like Iberdrola, SolarWorld, Vestas, ReVOLT, PECI, Ecos, Green Building Services, Earth Advantage and others will contribute more than 2,500 jobs to the local economy by 2015. In addition, our local gas and electric utilities and Bonneville Power Administration employ many others in research, development, commercialization and construction of energy efficiency and renewable energy products and services.

Clean Energy Works Portland and Solarize Portland

Portland is successful at creating clean energy jobs because of strong public/private partnerships. Clean Energy Works Portland and Solarize Portland are two great examples of meeting job creation, energy and social equity goals. Clean Energy Works Portland offers low-cost, long-term loans that are paid back on utility bills. The loans are for measures that save energy, and at the same time reduce carbon emissions, improve home comfort and home values, and create high-quality, family-wage jobs and career pathways for Portland area residents. Program partners crafted a set of workforce standards that ensure equity and economic opportunity for women, people of color, and other historically disadvantaged or underrepresented groups. To date, more than $3 million in energy retrofit loans have been made by Clean Energy Works Portland. Half of the 16 participating contractors are minority, women or emerging small businesses. The work of Clean Energy Works Portland is getting national attention.

Another community-based program promotes renewable energy. Solarize Portland purchases solar equipment in volume, neighbors decide who to hire, what to budget and where to start. They choose a contractor and together they purchase and install solar equipment, with significant savings as a result of their bulk purchase.

The effort has been an amazing success for households, manufacturers and installers. For example, SolarWorld, a local manufacturer of solar PV, is on track to supply Portland area families with about 1 MW of high-performance solar panels this year. Similarly, Portland area local solar installers have reported an increase of 30 local hires to help with installation.

We have come full circle – But it is just the beginning

The world has changed a great deal in 30 years. Our good intentions to clean up the planet, reduce pollution, and create local jobs have become a reality. But, we can’t rest on our laurels; we must ensure the continuation of innovative policies and partnerships, new financial instruments, solid incentives and an engaged, informed community. After all, the first cities and companies that embrace sustainable energy will be the winners. They will be first in line to sell the green products, technologies and services to the rest of the world. Portland has learned a lot from other cities, and we believe that through continued collaboration, we will all succeed.  The point remains that addressing the environment and creating jobs go hand in hand and if we work together, we all win.

This is the second installment of an on-going series examining the expansion of renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest. It is written by Susan Anderson, Director, City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.