Portland crosswalk with traffic
We did it! 100% clean and fossil-free Multnomah county buildings
Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution ensuring all new county-owned buildings—including libraries, courthouses, and community centers—are built to be fossil-free and utilize 100% clean and renewable energy.
New Energy Cities

This Climate Solutions program is no longer active.

In 2016, Climate Solutions completed the seventh and final year of our successful New Energy Cities program. Combining research on urban carbon reduction best practices and partnering with Northwest cities and counties, we helped local communities accelerate carbon emissions reduction through climate and clean energy goal-setting, clean energy transition planning, policy development, program design, and implementation.

Our New Energy Cities program continued to work with the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C), a voluntary coalition of King County and 13 cities united in their goal to cut carbon emissions in half by 2030 supporting efforts to get underway with achieving its 90% renewable electricity by 2030. New Energy Cities formed a partnership with Stockholm Environment Institute to provide energy maps and carbon wedge analyses for Everett, WA (Snohomish County) and Olympia, WA (Thurston County). Our existing partnership with Tukwila, WA showed encouraging progress, with city leadership and staff eager to make deep carbon reductions in their community.

Climate Solutions is proud of New Energy Cities and its seven years of success. Although we phased out the program at the end of 2016, Climate Solutions will continue to help our city and county partners create political momentum to inform policy and drive carbon emissions reduction at the state and regional levels.

Sunset over a smoky sky

It's the 11th hour for climate action in Salem

23 days. That’s how much time is left in the legislative session in Salem.    97° F. That’s the record-breaking temperature in Salem on June 1st.

Photo of Multnomah County Main Library

We did it! 100% clean and fossil-free Multnomah county buildings

Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution ensuring all new county-owned buildings—including libraries, courthouses, and community centers—are built to be fossil-free and utilize 100% clean and renewable energy.

A New Flyer electric bus operated by TriMet recharges at Sunset Transit Center.

TriMet and the City of Portland accelerate toward 100% clean

We are excited that the City of Portland and TriMet have taken some big strides to accelerate toward 100% clean and carbon-free operations!

2019 Session dispatches: week 6 with climate as a top priority

For the first time in memory—and maybe ever—climate change is a top priority for the Washington Legislature. There are multiple landmark climate policies moving forward; The momentum is strong, and the stakes are high. Here’s an update on our top climate priorities.

EPA boss keeps denying, seas keep rising

A deregulatory push at the EPA is met by resistance from state governments. Solar projects grow in scale as well as number. States, cities and towns respond to climate threats with resiliency measures as well as with clean energy planning.

Test driving EV car share

Cully neighborhood test drives electric car sharing

Last week, Drive Oregon kicked off an EV pilot project that makes three electric cars available to Hacienda CDC and community members in Portland's diverse Cully neighborhood. 

Unlocking deep energy efficiency in buildings

We can dramatically cut carbon emissions simply by making our buildings more comfortable, cost-effective and efficient. Why haven't decades of energy efficiency programs accomplished more?

Celebrating Portland's victory over new fossil fuel terminals

Three cheers for triple climate action in Portland

Portland continues to lead the way with big steps including banning new fossil fuel terminals, improving energy efficiency in homes with energy scores, and updating the city's electric vehicle policy. Plus a video!

Portland moving forward on residential energy efficiency

The City of Portland is accepting comments on a draft policy to measure the energy efficiency of homes, as part of a long-term strategy to increase energy efficiency, reduce homeowner costs, and to curb a major source of carbon emissions.

Momentum for Climate Action

The past five years have brought a sea change in urban climate action: increased awareness of the critical role that local leaders play in carbon reduction; new capacity in local governments to tac

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EPA boss keeps denying, seas keep rising

A deregulatory push at the EPA is met by resistance from state governments. Solar projects grow in scale as well as number. States, cities and towns respond to climate threats with resiliency measures as well as with clean energy planning.

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