Every year, BES processes 28 billion gallons of wastewater. A natural byproduct of sewage treatment is methane, a potent greenhouse gas. For years, the City has been capturing a portion of this methane gas to produce electricity. The rest gets burned off in a process called “flaring” where it turns into carbon dioxide (another potent greenhouse gas) and gets released into the atmosphere.

At the Bureau of Environmental Services, we know that what’s good for the environment is also good for our ratepayers. That’s why, in celebration of Earth Day, we are launching an innovative venture to turn waste into clean energy while earning money for Portlanders.

Or, to put it more crudely—turning poop into power!

And it’s a triple-win.

Starting this summer, BES will capture 100 percent of the methane from Portlanders’ waste, dramatically reducing our carbon footprint (win #1).

We will then convert the methane into renewable natural gas to reduce our reliance on dirty diesel (win #2).

And through our partnership with local utility NW Natural, we’ll generate $3 million each year for our ratepayers (win #3).

To learn more about this exciting project, read BES’s Press Release and Nick’s op-ed with BES Director Mike Jordan in the Portland Tribune.

My View: Turn Waste into Clean Energy

Nick Fish and Mike Jordan in the Portland Tribune

Earth Day 2017: City moves to 100% methane recovery, creating triple-win for public: revenue, climate gains and cleaner air

BES News

City Approves Plan to Turn Sewage Into Car Fuel

Keely Chalmers in KGW

Portland 'Going to be Turning Poop Into Power'

Tim Becker in KOIN 6 News

Portland plans to turn 'poop into power'

Jessica Floum in The Oregonian

Council to consider Portland's largest climate change project Wednesday

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

Portland Votes 'Yes' On Plan To Turn Poop Into Vehicle Fuel

Amelia Templeton in OPB

The Natural Gas You Pass is Being Turned Into Natural Gas You Can Use

Lulu Chang in Digital Trends

Every time you poop in Portland, you're helping the environment

Mike Moffitt in SFGATE

The Weekly Catch

Apr 21, 2017 at 10:58 AM

Biogas

My View: Turn Waste into Clean Energy

Nick Fish and Mike Jordan in the Portland Tribune

Straight Talk: Chris Hagerbaumer with Oregon Environmental Council

KGW News

NW Natural to Put Renewable Natural Gas on its Pipeline through Partnership with City of Portland

NW Natural Press Release

Earth Day 2017: City Moves to 100% Methane Recovery, Creating Triple-win for Public: Revenue, Climate Gains and Cleaner Air

BES News

Portland Votes 'Yes' On Plan To Turn Poop Into Vehicle Fuel

Amelia Templeton in OPB

City Approves Plan to Turn Sewage into Car Fuel

Keely Chalmers in KGW

Portland Plans to Turn 'Poop into Power'

Jessica Floum in The Oregonian

Portland ‘Going to be Turning Poop into Power’

Tim Becker in KOIN 6 News

**Californians Are About to Spend Millions on a Byproduct of Portland's Excrement**

Dirk VanderHart in the Portland Mercury

Portland plan: Turn waste into clean fuel

Pete Danko in the Portland Business Journal

Council to Consider Portland's Largest Climate Change Project Wednesday

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

Morning Roundup - Portland to Consider Renewable Natural Gas Committment

Katy Sword in the Oregon Business

Portland Votes 'Yes' On Plan to Turn Poop into Vehicle Fuel

KUOW News

Every Time You Poop in Portland, You're Helping the Environment

Mike Moffitt in SFGATE

Portland City Council to convert methane waste gases to RNG for city truck fleet

Jim Lane in BiofuelsDigest

Uber

What We Know About Portland's Investigation into Uber and Greyball

Amelia Templeton in OPB

Bill to Legalize Uber Across Oregon Dies in Legislative Committee

Rachel Monahan in Willamette Week

In Other News

'Grimm' Stars, Gov. Kate Brown, and More Gather to Celebrate the Portland-Filmed Show

Kristi Turnquist in The Oregonian

Businesses host Powell Butte ‘Earth Day’ event

David F. Ashton in East PDX News

City Hopes Public Bathroom Program Will End Urination on Downtown Streets

Rebecca Trejo in KVUE News

Mayor Ted Wheeler Wants Driverless Cars in Portland by Year's End

Rachel Monahan in Willamette Week

Celebrate Arbor Day 2017 Festivities at Mt. Scott Park Saturday

Travis Loose in the Portland Patch

Portland Hosts Green Urban Planning Summit

Apr 27, 2017 at 3:03 PM

April 27, 2017

This week, local and international experts in urban planning and sustainable design have been in Portland for the Nature of Cities Summit hosted by The Intertwine Alliance.

Today, Nick invited summit participants to appear before City Council. They shared a brief overview of their work and how to build cities that are in harmony with the natural environment.

Portland is proud of its reputation as a leader in adapting to climate change, integrating nature in our city, and investing in green infrastructure.

Yesterday, the group visited a number of local sites to see this work in practice, including Crystal Springs – where spawning Coho salmon are now thriving.