Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity Campaign
2020 brought many hardships to Oregon.
In 2020, people struggled to pay their bills, keep wildfire smoke out of their homes, and lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unprecedented wildfires swept across Oregon, displacing more than 500,000 residents and burning entire communities to the ground.
We launched the Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity campaign.
The Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity (OCEO) campaign was led by frontline environmental justice groups facing high energy bills and pollution, and who stand to benefit from the clean energy transition. Our aim was to lower energy costs, support upgrades that keep people safe in their homes, and create quality jobs in clean energy.
In 2021, OCEO successfully passed, furthering energy democracy in Oregon. This was the first frontline-led statewide campaign in Oregon’s history.
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Energy Affordability
House Bill 2475 decreases utility costs for families already struggling in the economic recession by establishing a low-income utility rate class.
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Healthy Homes
House Bill 2842 creates a grant program of funds that goes to essential home repairs and improvements across the state. Its goal is to keep low-income families healthy, reduce medical costs and energy bills.
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100% Clean Energy for All
House Bill 2021B creates well-paying jobs in renewable energy, funds local energy projects that benefit communities and reduce pollution, and aims for 100% clean energy as soon as possible.
Why was the OCEO such a success?
OCEO’s grassroots efforts were led by members of the 2021 Energy Justice Leadership Institute (EJLI), an eight-month, bilingual organizing institute that included over 170 frontline community members across Oregon. In it, participants learned about Oregon’s energy system, how our state government operates, the ins and outs of the OCEO policies, grassroots advocacy, and leadership skills.
Participants served on regional teams where they influenced lawmakers and raised awareness about energy justice and OCEO policies. Our organization distributed over $90,000 to BIPOC , low-income, urban, and rural community members for their participation. We now have a strong network of leaders across Oregon who are equipped to build a Just Transition in their communities.
