Portland General Electric Green Future customers award $1.7 million for nonprofit renewable energy projects
Mar. 08, 2021
Portland, Ore., - Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) today announced its customers enrolled in Green Future℠ renewable energy options have supported another $1.76 million in local energy projects benefitting area nonprofits through the PGE Renewable Development Fund. Nine organizations from Salem to Canby to Portland are being awarded grants to support solar projects at their facilities, providing more renewable energy being generated locally and benefitting the many communities they serve. Since its inception in 1999, the PGE Renewable Development Fund has awarded 75 projects with more than $16.5 million, creating more than 16.6 MW of renewable generation. John McFarland, Chief Customer Officer at PGE, said, “At Portland General Electric, we are providing affordable, reliable and increasingly clean energy for everyone - we call it an Oregon kind of energy. We are grateful to the PGE customers who choose to participate in one of our Green Future renewable energy programs, as their commitment has allowed us to support renewable energy projects at local nonprofits for more than 20 years. The Renewable Development Fund is one way we can ensure an equitable clean energy future for all Oregonians.”
A solar array at the Boys & Girls Club of Portland Metro, which also received funding last year for STEM/STEAM experiences for area youth
Stevie Goepfert, Grants Manager at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro, which received a Renewable Development Fund award last year, said, “With PGE’s grant support for our program, we were able to provide advanced education training to our staff and offer robust STEM/STEAM experiences that has leveled the playing field for hundreds of youth in the Portland-Metro area. Throughout the grant process and after we received an award, PGE was helpful in answering all of our questions and offering valuable feedback. We strongly encourage other nonprofits to apply for the 2021-2022 grant cycle, it can make all the difference in your community!” This year’s projects include:
Albertina Kerr, Portland 633 kW solar project; $400,000 Albertina Kerr has existed for over 100 years to care for Oregon’s most vulnerable citizens, providing services for children and adults with intellectual and development disabilities (I/DD) including 24‐hour residential care in 55 group homes across 4 counties and employment services that enable adults with I/DD to find, secure, and maintain competitive employment. Kerr also provides inpatient and outpatient mental health services for children and families experiencing a mental health crisis. Albertina Kerr’s project is a 632.5kW DC / 499.9kW AC solar PV system as part of a new net-zero affordable housing development containing 120 units for social service workers and 30 units for people with I/DD.
Catholic Charities, Portland 128 kW solar project; $195,532 Catholic Charities of Oregon is an organization combatting poverty and injustice across the State of Oregon through various services and programs, including affordable housing. In partnership with Related Northwest, Catholic Charities’ 128kW solar project will be part of a new affordable housing development providing 110 units serving low income families ranging from 30-60% area median income, with 8 permanent supportive housing units.
Central City Concern, Portland 104 kW solar project; $140,776 Central City Concern (CCC) is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit housing providers in Portland. Founded in 1979, CCC’s mission is to provide comprehensive solutions to ending homelessness and achieving self-sufficiency. They are working in partnership with Related Northwest on an affordable housing development with 138 units which incorporates and after-school program free to the residents, run by the Boys & Girls Club of Portland. Their solar array project will feed the common meter and the Boys & Girls Club.
Chemeketa Community College, Salem 81 kW solar project; $116,972 Chemeketa Community College (Chemeketa) is a two-year comprehensive public community college located in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Chemeketa serves a 2,600 square-mile district of over half a million residents within Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties. The college’s five-acre Agricultural Complex is a state-of-the-art regional hub that erodes barriers between the classroom, the laboratory, and the actual working environment found in industry. Adding photovoltaic panels to the Agricultural "Hub" marks a significant milestone toward Chemeketa's goal of achieving net climate neutrality.
Community Partners for Affordable Housing - Cedar Grove, Beaverton 30 kW solar project; $59,371 Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) builds and maintains healthy, sustainable housing with services for diverse residents including families, seniors, and people with disabilities in Washington County and southwest Portland. Cedar Grove, where the new solar project will be located, provides 44 new affordable housing units (including a relatively high number of 3-bedroom units that accommodate large or intergenerational families) for low-income households, those making less than 60% of the area median income.
Oregon Department of Administrative Services - Salem Motor Pool, Salem 250 kW solar project; $416,610 The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is the central administrative agency of Oregon state government, with a mission is to support state government to serve the people of Oregon. DAS Fleet Services consists of 100-120 daily rental and over 4,000 statewide permanently or seasonally assigned light-duty vehicles. These are available to state agencies, as well as other entities with an agreement, such as universities, Marion County, City of Salem and others. The site also has a fuel island featuring lower carbon fuel options, the vehicle repair shop, and the DAS Parking Services office, which manages 3,400+ parking spaces. During the next year, DAS also plans to install 50 dual-head Level 2 EV chargers at this site and their solar project will support the transition to EVs at this location. In addition, the current project will install approximately 100 Level 2 chargers around the Capital Mall to support the planned transition of the state fleet to EVs over the coming years, provide employee charging, and for public visitor charging.
Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst, Lake Oswego 84 kW solar project; $98,079 Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst is a nonprofit that owns and operates the Mary Woods, a LifePlan community that currently serves close to 800 residents. The campus provides different tiers of apartment living and assisted living options, long term nursing and memory support, and educational services to support active aging and continued healthcare support through end of life. Mary’s Woods operates within the core values of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary to emphasize individual and community-wide wellness, life-long learning, and spiritual development. In order to support their environmental sustainability and stewardship values, Mary’s Woods’ project will install solar power on one new building. Mary’s Woods also plans to partner with a nearby elementary school to facilitate multigenerational learning about renewable energy.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), Portland 200 kW solar project; $285,979 OMSI inspires curiosity by creating engaging science learning experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds. With an annual attendance of more than one million people from across Oregon and the surrounding region, the 76-year-old science institution engages guests with hands-on activities, exhibits, lab experiences, events, summer camps, classes and outreach programs. Part of a larger community-informed strategy to enhance climate change education through exhibits and labs, OMSI will install a 199.9kW DC solar system on their building located on the southeast bank of the Willamette River in Portland’s Central Eastside.
Smyrna United Church of Christ (UCC), Canby 14 kW solar project; $32,559 Smyrna UCC has served the Canby community since 1891 and currently has a congregation of about 100 active members. The church has native plantings onsite and is active in community service, including working with food banks, foster care assistance, and homeless youth assistance. The church’s project is a 13.68 kW ground mount solar array that will offset all of the church’s electricity use. Smyrna UCC also has plans to partner with local schools for educational opportunities.