Energy Trust of Oregon Saves Utility Customers $1 Billion Over the Past Decade

In the 10 years since Energy Trust of Oregon began offering resources, technical assistance and financial incentives to help utility customers invest in energy-efficiency and renewable energy projects, participants have saved more than $1 billion on their energy bills.

The energy and bill savings will continue year after year at nearly 438,000 homes, commercial and public buildings, and industrial and agricultural facilities around the state.

“This has been a decade of difference,” said Margie Harris, executive director, Energy Trust. “From the shop floor to the board room to the dinner table, Oregonians are learning how to use energy differently and are seeing immediate benefits. Together with customers, local trade ally contractors and our affiliated utilities, we’re helping build a different, better and more sustainable Oregon.”

In addition to helping industrial, commercial and residential customers trim their utility bills, throughout its first decade of service Energy Trust has contributed to Oregon’s economy, protected the environment and helped utilities deliver energy to customers at the lowest possible cost.

Delivering effective services and value for ratepayers

An independent, nonprofit organization, Energy Trust began operation in March 2002. Energy Trust has helped Oregon customers of Portland General Electric and Pacific Power save and generate 426 average megawatts of electricity. It has helped Oregon customers of NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas, and Washington customers of NW Natural, save 23.2 million annual therms of natural gas. These savings are equivalent to the energy needed to power all Portland homes for one and one-half years and heat all Pendleton homes for seven years.

Utilities rely on Energy Trust savings from efficiency to meet future energy needs for their customers at a lower cost. For every $1 Energy Trust invested in energy efficiency from 2002–2011, ratepayers will save nearly $4 in costs utilities would have incurred to provide the same amount of energy from other, more costly resources.

Greater economic benefits for Oregon

Energy Trust has invested $684 million in program delivery, incentives, technical assistance, trade ally contractor training, quality control and assurance and outreach activities to help utility customers put clean energy projects into action.

“The millions of dollars businesses and households are saving on their energy bills can now recirculate back into our local economy, providing further benefits through new purchases of goods and services, job creation, increased wages and wealth, and new business income,” said Harris.

The consulting firm of ECONorthwest completed an independent economic analysis of utility bill savings and activity associated with Energy Trust and reported that the nonprofit has added $2.1 billion to the Oregon economy, including $630 million in wages, $120 million in small business income and employment equivalent to 18,000 full-time jobs lasting one year.

“This is economic activity that would not otherwise have taken place but for Energy Trust investments,” continued Harris.

Helping customers lower energy costs and generate their own power

Energy Trust programs and services are available to 1.5 million electric and natural gas customers. Thousands have participated — seeing lasting benefits through using energy more efficiently or generating their own power with renewable energy.

One of thousands of businesses Energy Trust has helped is Pacific Natural Foods, a Tualatin based producer of natural and organic food products. The company has implemented 20 energy improvement projects with Energy Trust since 2005. “While we’ve worked with many great advisors, no single partner has done more to help us achieve our environmental goals than Energy Trust,” said Rory Schmick, director of sustainability and environmental affairs, Pacific Natural Foods.

Energy Trust has also supported a range of renewable energy technologies over the past 10 years, investing dollars and providing assistance to help install 3,800 biopower, geothermal, hydropower, wind and solar systems. By year-end, Energy Trust is on track to help residents and businesses install 5,000 solar electric systems and add 50 megawatts of solar energy capacity to the grid.

Envisioning a future of possibilities

“Energy Trust was forged through a collaborative relationship with utilities, and through input from citizen representatives, public forums, two advisory councils comprised of industry professionals and dozens of advocacy and trade groups,” said Harris. “We are grateful for the vision and commitment of so many to help deliver these remarkable results.”

“While we celebrate our progress, our focus remains on the work we started in 2002 and possibilities for the future. There is no shortage of opportunity as we strive to go further, engage with more customers and expand the benefits that ensure a brighter future for all of us.”

Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization funded by the utility ratepayers of PGE, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas, and is overseen by a volunteer board of directors with input from two advisory councils of industry professionals. Energy Trust services, cash incentives and energy solutions help keep energy costs as low as possible, create jobs and build a sustainable energy future.

Learn more at www.energytrust.org or call 866-368-7878.