The Portland Clean Energy Initiative (Measure 26-201) is an innovative Portland ballot measure that will create $30 million in funding for local clean energy projects, including but not limited to rooftop solar, energy efficiency housing upgrades, and community gardens. The funds will be raised via a 1% surcharge on billion-dollar retailers with over $500,000 in annual Portland revenue. Priority for projects will be given to those most impacted by climate change: low-income people and communities of color.
On this episode of Locus Focus we talk with Damon Motz-Storey, Clean Energy Organizer, and Dr. Patricia Kullberg, both with Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, about the health benefits of passing Measure 26-201 for the entire city as well as its potential to remedy racial and economic health disparities in the city of Portland. The Portland Clean Energy Initiative is supported by a broad and highly diverse coalition including community and environmental organizations, affordable housing advocacy groups, labor unions, and businesses. The initiative will be on Portland voters’ ballots as Measure 26-201. Ballots must be mailed by November 1 or dropped off ballot drop off locations around Portland (such as public libraries and the Multnomah Board of Elections) by Tuesday, November 6, 2018.
Patsy Kullberg, is the former Medical Director of the Multnomah County Health Department and the author of a new report entitled "Health Equity and the Portland Clean Energy Initiative," which includes policy analysis and over 10 years of data about city health disparities.
Damon Motz-Storey is the Clean Energy Organizer at Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility and has been serving as a Communications Director for the Portland Clean Energy Initiative campaign.
- KBOO