For two decades, the City of Portland has been working on the City Energy Challenge  to cut energy use -- and save money -- in City operations. This has led to energy efficiency improvements at office buildings, sewage treatment plants, street lights, vehicles and other property that is owned and operated by the City. Since the start of the City Energy Challenge, City bureaus have completed energy efficiency improvements that save $5.5 million dollars each year.  Cumulative savings have reached $42 million. 

The City of Portland's and Multnomah County's 2009 Climate Action Plan also calls for the City to purchase or generate 100 percent of all electricity required for City operations from renewable sources, including 15 percent from on-site renewables such as solar and biogas. This has led to to the installation of 17 renewable energy systems which include biogas, solar electric, hydro, wind, solar hot water, and solar pool heating totaling 2,484 kW installed capacity.

Funding for many of these projects was provided by grants from the United States Department of Energy (DOE)  under their Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program.

Read more about energy projects at City of Portland Facilities.