2021 was a busy year for Multnomah County's Office of Sustainability. The team:
- Worked with community based organizations to figure out how local government and community can co-develop climate strategies.
- Fought for low-income ratepayer protections, for our undocumented neighbors to get better access to energy efficiency programs, and for clean energy.
- Continued work on cleaning up dirty diesel construction equipment, and pollution from wood burning.
- Planted trees, mapped heat islands, and developed strategies to keep people safe from the impacts of climate change.
View the Office of Sustainability's accomplishments in 2021 in this snapshot: .
Climate
- Advocated for the strongest possible health, environment and environmental justice outcomes in the development of DEQ’s Climate Protection Program (adopted December 2021) in partnership with the Health Department.
Mapped urban heat islands in East County, addressing a critical data gap needed to prioritize climate resilience policies and investments.
Launched Climate Justice x Design, bringing County/City government and frontline communities together as equal partners, to explore deep collaboration and opportunities to advance local climate resilience.
Energy
Worked to extend COVID-19 utility disconnection moratorium. As a result, no County resident faced the summer heat waves without electricity from the inability to pay.
Helped to successfully advocate for major changes in state law that put the state and the County on a path to 100% clean energy while protecting low income ratepayers.
Secured voluntary moratoriums on gas and electric utility disconnections during cold weather events.
The County completed a study that inventoried risks of fossil fuel infrastructure at the CEI Hub, analyzing the extent and cost of damage from a Cascadia earthquake.
Made it easier for undocumented communities to access gas utility financial assistance.
Led in the formation of the Oregon Statewide CPACE Coalition, a coalition of local governments working to expand CPACE throughout Oregon.
Coordinated a coalition to help inform the implementation of a low-income rate for energy utility customers.
Air Quality
The Clean Air Construction partnership expanded to include Trimet, one of six local agency partners, and the program went live with an online equipment registration and project management portal.
Convened a work group to explore policy options to further limit the harmful pollution from residential and commercial wood burning, with planned policy changes slated for the winter and spring of 2022.
Completed a DEQ grant project in collaboration with Multnomah County’s Environmental Health team, including outreach and education about reducing woodsmoke using branded materials.
Engagement & Partnerships
- Green Gresham / Healthy Gresham partners have planted 339 trees, with over 100 more trees scheduled for planting in spring 2022, in addition to providing youth employment opportunities.
Forged a partnership with MudBone Grown, an African American owned farming business, who will manage the CROPS site. Worked to develop farm infrastructure at the site.
Provided support to the Advisory Committee on Sustainability and Innovation (ACSI).
Supported the founding of Kijani PDX, a group of individuals working to increase representation of the African American/African community in environmental legislative and policy discussions and decision-making.
Secured an EPA technical assistance grant in partnership with Portland Public Schools to identify community prioritized school sites that can serve as air/cooling shelters.
Assisted Emergency Management by creating severe winter weather graphics soliciting donations and volunteers.
Employee Engagement
- Coordinated three countywide campaigns, including Earth Month, Bike Month, and EcoChallenge, welcoming 208 participants.
Led and supported County sustainability teams and staff with the achievement of Countywide and programmatic sustainability goals, like green buildings and energy savings.
Engaged with 665 staff and community partners through the Climate Leadership Now newsletter.
Published five Wednesday Wire articles about events and education, reaching all staff with sustainability messaging.
COVID
Worked with community chambers of commerce and culturally-specific providers to distribute over $5,000,000 in CARES business relief grants.
Assisted Health Department with graphics providing guidance for restaurant reopenings.
