Energy Trust of Oregon

In 1999, the Oregon Legislature passed an electric industry restructuring law, SB 1149, aimed at establishing a stable funding source for residential, commercial, and industrial electric efficiency, renewable energy, and market transformation programs. This legislation mandates the state’s largest investor-owned electric utilities to collect a 3% public purpose charge and authorizes the Oregon Public Utility Commission(OPUC) to allocate a portion of these funds to an independent non-governmental entity. Energy Trust of Oregon was established in 2002. == Funding ==

Energy Trust is funded by customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista. Customers of these five utilities pay a dedicated percentage of their utility bills to support a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy services and programs. == Programs ==

In general, Energy Trust operates its programs through contracts with service providers. A volunteer, non-stakeholder board of directors oversees the organization. Energy Trust offers cash incentives for a variety of energy-efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems for homes, businesses, industrial facilities, agricultural operations and public and nonprofit buildings. ==References==