Happy Eco News: Portland Clean Energy Fund Raises $1 Billion for Climate Action and Community Resilience

Cities across the United States are searching for ways to address climate change while protecting residents from its growing impacts. Finding reliable funding for those efforts is often one of the biggest challenges. In Portland, Oregon, however, an innovative local initiative has demonstrated what can happen when climate action receives sustained investment. Created by Portland voters in 2018, the funding program is a first-of-its-kind climate and environmental justice program financed through a 1% tax on large retailers operating within the city. The measure was designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while directing investments toward communities most vulnerable to climate impacts. The Portland Clean Energy Fund has now generated $1 billion, helping transform neighborhoods while creating a blueprint for communities across the country. Read ON.