Instead of viewing climate change as an insurmountable challenge, Multnomah County staff look for opportunities to make positive impacts in support of the Climate Action Plan. Staff play a critical role in reducing the environmental impacts from County program operations and facilities. Together, by making positive changes within their own work spaces, offices, and departments, staff prove that taking action can create a profound difference.
Sustainable Success at Multnomah County
- Pathways to 100% Renewable by 2050
- Advocating for Clean Energy and Ratepayer Protections
- PropertyFit
- Advisory Committee on Sustainability & Innovation
- Sustainability Policies, Plans, and Reports at Multnomah County
- Sustainable Success at Multnomah County
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Multnomah County Board First in the State to Restrict Fossil Fuel Use
The Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution that will prohibit the use of fossil fuels in new and remodeled Multnomah County buildings.
Air Awareness Week a chance to learn, plan, act on air quality to protect most vulnerable to pollution
Multnomah County air is dirtiest in the state, and Children and people with health conditions are most at risk
Healthy Homes and Communities Team wins the 2021 Employee Recognition Award for Sustainability
Commissioner Susheela Jayapal announces the Multnomah County winner of the Sustainability Award, the Healthy Homes and Communities Team.
Youth-Driven County Tree Team helps build a healthier environment in the historically underserved West Gresham neighborhood
Started in 2018, the project meshes the expertise of the Multnomah County Office of Sustainability, the City of Gresham and Friends of Trees, to bring a tree-planting program to Gresham
Chair Kafoury, alongside County officials and partners, push to continue disconnections moratorium, look for ways to make energy access more affordable
Multnomah County officials push for utility disconnection moratorium extension; also signal support for alternative customer outreach, differentiated utility rates and expanded advocacy opportunities.
Weatherization program continues to serve businesses and families during COVID-19 pandemic
At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Multnomah County’s Weatherization Program acted quickly to serve low-income homeowners and help small businesses who rely on their contracts with the program to
Multnomah County and City team up for free Biketown memberships to Black Portlanders
Research shows an hour of physical activity a day dramatically improves health and decreases chances of chronic disease.
Multnomah County vows to continue advocating, litigating for a life-sustaining climate after disappointing Chernaik v. Brown decision
Multnomah County is disappointed by the opinion the Oregon Supreme Court released yesterday in Chernaik v. Brown ruling against the petitioners.
Advocating for Clean Energy and Ratepayer Protections
How energy regulation in Oregon works, and how Multnomah County's Office of Sustainability engages with the Oregon Public Utilities Commission to advocate for a cleaner, more equitable energy system.
Climate Action Plan Final Progress Report 2020
Multnomah County and the City of Portland have released a final report on the 2015 Climate Action Plan, which documents the Plan's implementation successes and challenges, and next steps.
Mid-County Lighting District wins the 2020 Employee Recognition Award for Sustainability
Commissioner Lori Stegmann announces the Multnomah County winner of the Sustainability Award, the Mid-County Lighting District.
Multnomah County saves $100,000 in annual utility costs and wins "Most Natural Gas Savings" award
Multnomah County was awarded "Most Natural Gas Savings" out of 34 large public and private organizations participating in Energy Trust of Oregon's Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program.
Public Health leaders call on lawmakers to take action to curb climate change
More than 500 health professionals and leading health organizations proclaim climate change a public health emergency
Multnomah County joins youth in Oregon Supreme Court arguments to protect air, water
Chair Deborah Kafoury on restated the County’s support for the young people suing the state over the climate crisis, saying the time has come to protect those qualities which make for a livable Oregon
Wildfire safety volunteers go door to door in the community
In September, Multnomah County staff and community volunteers went door to door in the community to provide wildfire safety education to residents.
Board votes to oppose new fossil fuel infrastructure
Commissioners call for review of legal option to hold companies accountable in event of a natural disaster
Commissioners tackle earthquake risk to North Portland fuel tank hub
The forums focus on how prolonged ground shaking could destabilize the Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub, a six-mile-stretch of tanks and infrastructure east of Highway 30 on the river’s edge.
Hillsdale Library is first-ever library awarded ‘Backyard Habitat’ certification
Hilldale Library in southwest Portland was awarded silver-level Backyard Habitat certification by a joint program through the Portland Audubon Society and the Columbia Land Trust.
New Report: Multnomah County 2017 Carbon Emissions and Trends
A new report shows mixed progress on reducing carbon emissions in Multnomah County.
Emissions from County Operations 64% below 2007 Baseline
Greenhouse gas emissions from Multnomah County operations are 64% below the 2007 baseline year according to the 2019 annual Resource Conservation Report.
Multnomah County staff get inspired at the Climate Strike lunch and learn
On Friday, September 20 from 12-1pm in the Multnomah Building Board Room, 50+ staff attend a Climate Strike lunch and learn hosted by the Office of Sustainability and Green Team.
Walking and Rolling to School: Updates from the East County’s Safe Routes to School program
Safe Routes to School provides fun and safe opportunities for kids to walk and bike to school, and serves students in East County schools, including Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale, and Wood Vilage.
County Water Quality Program employee shares his love of the work ahead of World Water Day
Roy Iwai of the Department of Community Services’ Water Quality Program shares his love of streams, the wildlife that inhabit them, and the important work of his division.
Multnomah County stands with kids, asks Oregon Supreme Court to review climate case
County petitions to be a friend of the court in state case Chernaik v. Brown
Multnomah County’s Carbon Footprint Drops 61%
Multnomah County is reducing its carbon footprint and utility costs, according to the 2018 Resource Conservation Report, and presentation by the Office of Sustainability on November 1.
Board vows to apply environmental justice lens when crafting public policy
Resolution asks Office of Sustainability and Environmental Health Division to conduct research, propose policy
Multnomah County, City of Portland commit to reducing diesel emissions on construction sites
Policy would require cleaner-burning construction equipment — the source of most local diesel pollution
Multnomah County libraries earn gold for going green
Central Library in downtown Portland and Albina Library in Northeast Portland have each earned Sustainability at Work gold certification.
The Gresham Tree Team is helping to make a healthier urban environment for residents of West Gresham
Gresham Tree Team is helping to make a healthier urban environment for residents of West Gresham
‘It will take all of us’: Commissioner Vega Pederson rallies local organizations, policy makers at Community Energy Justice Summit
The Community Energy Justice Summit was organized by community-based organizations, the Multnomah County Office of Sustainability, and the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.
Commissioner Stegmann and Office of Sustainability celebrate National Bike Month
Commissioner Stegmann will continue bike rides this summer to raise awareness about the inequity in bike share infrastructure in East Portland and East Multnomah County.
Earth Month: Commissioner joins Friends of Trees to plant in Nadaka Nature Park
Multnomah County is partnering with the ecological nonprofit to plant 250 trees over 3 years.
Road Engineering oversees installation of fish-friendly culvert under SE Stark Street
In 2017, Multnomah County removed a broken fish ladder on Beaver Creek and replaced it with a new culvert that will open miles of stream habitat for migrating salmon.
Multnomah County weatherization program improves housing livability, affordability
The service is intended to improve livability and affordability of housing for people living on a fixed or low income.
Multnomah County celebrates 10 years of sustainability success
Multnomah County is reducing its carbon footprint and utility costs, according to the 2017 Resource Conservation Report presented to the Board of County Commissioners.
Multnomah County Board unanimously adopts 100 percent renewable energy goal
The Multnomah County Board voted unanimously on Thursday, June 1 to commit the county to reaching its goal of 100 percent renewable energy use community-wide by 2050.
Central Library achieves Sustainability at Work Gold certification
Multnomah County Central Library has achieved Gold certification through the City of Portland's Sustainability at Work recognition program.
New courthouse to use clever solution to power Hawthorne Bridge
Board of County Commissioners shown new architectural renderings, updated on innovative and sustainable energy-uses and overall progress on the multi-million dollar project.
LED Streetlights Upgrade
The upgraded LEDs in Multnomah County’s residential areas produce energy savings up to 70%. That adds up to energy savings that could power over 100 homes each year.
Sustainability and the Sellwood Bridge
How sustainability has played an integral role in the building and planning of the new Sellwood Bridge.
Sustainable Multnomah County: Free Geek Partnership
Free Geek will receive up to 1,500 computers a year from Multnomah County. They will then be refurbished and given out to communities, organizations, or individuals in need.
PropertyFit
PropertyFit (CPACE) helps commercial, multifamily, and industrial property owners finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades that holistically address a building’s performance.
Sustainable Jails Project
The mission of the Sustainable Jails Project is to provide excellent stewardship of public funds, conserve natural resources, and reduce recidivism through sustainable decision-making and practices.
Facilities and Property Management's long-term commitment to safe drinking water
Staff from the Compliance Section within Facilities and Property Management are committed to ensuring that drinking water in Multnomah County facilities is safe and clean.
The County's Community Services Division provided weatherization services to over 1,150 residents to reduce energy costs in one year
Between July 2015 and June 2016, the County's Community Services Division provided weatherization services to 1,152 people in 564 households to reduce energy costs.
Multnomah County's Benefits Enrollment Program Goes Electronic: Thousands of Pages Saved
After a lot of hard work and creative thinking, there is now a system in place where a new employee doesn't have to print anything to enroll in their benefit programs.
Cooking demonstration draws clients to fresh food, healthier choices
The Rockwood Community Health Center cooking demonstrations are open to everyone in the community and promote healthy eating.
IT Works to Save 96,000 Sheets of Paper a Year
Instead of printing out the hundreds of medical record requests that the Health Department receives every day via fax, IT paved the way for an almost entirely digital workflow.
Four-legged crew joins the Sellwood Bridge Project
Multnomah County invited 60 goats to dine on blackberry bushes and vines below the east end of the Sellwood Bridge, avoiding the use of herbicides to remove the invasive plants.
Board opposes projects that will increase oil trains through Multnomah County
The Board of Commissioners Thursday passed a resolution opposing a surge of trains carrying crude oil through Multnomah County and the Columbia Gorge.
Facilities team earns awards for energy savings
Did you know that nearly thirty thousand dollars has been saved a year just by introducing energy efficiency programs in two of Multnomah County's office buildings?
Sustainable Purchasing
Multnomah County is committed to responsible business practices by integrating sustainability considerations into the way it does business; including the goods and services it buys.
County board formally stops investments in fossil fuel companies, cites harm to vulnerable
Multnomah County will no longer invest in fossil fuel companies as part of its effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Multnomah County Eco-Roofs/Green Roofs
What is an eco-roof or a green roof? Eco-roofs or green roofs are roofs that are covered with living plant material.