Blue tsunami lifts Eugene Clean Energy Fund, Ward 5 candidate Athena Aguiar

from Yes On Eugene Clean Energy Fund

Measure 20-388, the Eugene Clean Energy Fund, was approved by voters Election Day with 57% of the vote, and more ballots expected to be counted in the coming days.

The campaign, which was backed by over 120 small business owners, labor unions, community organizations and elected officials, was powered by volunteers, community organizers, and social and environmental justice organizations who canvassed events, knocked on doors, and organized to educate voters on the measure and the need for climate action and clean energy jobs.

“Passage of Measure 20-388 is a resounding statement that Eugene is ready to lead in creating a cleaner and greener future for our communities,” said Britney VanCitters, political & organizing director at the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and Eugene Clean Energy Fund Steering Committee member.

“Eugenians raised their voices loud and clear because they know we can’t count on the state or federal government to deliver cleaner, local and more affordable energy. Establishing the Eugene Clean Energy Fund means we are ready to take action at the local level, an example we hope other cities will follow.”

“The passage of the Eugene Clean Energy Fund means energy efficiency and renewable energy will finally be more accessible for Eugene’s low-income residents and communities of color that often face the most serious impacts of climate change and extreme weather,” said Jennifer Davis, executive director of Beyond Toxics and Eugene Clean Energy Fund Steering Committee member.

The Eugene Clean Energy Fund will establish a 2% large retailer license fee on corporations like Amazon and Walmart that earn more than $1 billion in profits annually in the United States, and over $500,000 in profits within the city of Eugene.

Funds will be allocated through a community-led process to projects supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean energy jobs training, apprenticeships, and contractor support, green infrastructure; and future innovation.

This measure is projected to generate at least $15 million annually to invest back into the Eugene community, and has a deadline to start administering funding no later than 2030, after a grace period to allow for the fund to be established.

“The Eugene Clean Energy Fund will create the dedicated, steady resources we need to meet our city’s ambitious climate goals while creating local job programs,” said Dylan Plummer, deputy director of Sierra Club’s Clean Heat Campaign and Steering Committee member on the Eugene Clean Energy Fund.

“We hope that local governments across the state and the country will follow the example set by Portland and Eugene, and establish similar policies to make big corporations pay their fair share to support climate action and clean jobs.”

Measure 20-388 is closely based on the 2018 Portland Clean Energy Fund initiative, which has since invested over $1.7 billion into climate, sustainability and clean energy projects in Portland.

The measure establishes a committee made up of appointed city residents to recommend revenue allocation generated by the fee to be spent on clean energy, sustainability, and climate resiliency projects across Eugene, with a focus on ensuring benefits to low-income and historically marginalized communities.

“Eugene has always been a city that stands for community and climate justice,” said Joel Iboa, executive director of Oregon Just Transition Alliance and co-chief petitioner for the Eugene Clean Energy Fund.

“But we’ve fallen far behind our city’s climate goals, failing to address the rising cost of living and climate impacts. With their vote, Eugenians have said enough is enough. The Eugene Clean Energy Fund will mean we can invest back into our city, and once again become a beacon of hope in forging a path into a greener future for all.”

The Eugene Clean Energy Fund campaign is led by environmental justice and climate organizations Beyond Toxics, Oregon Just Transition Alliance, Breach Collective, Oregon League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club.

The campaign has already made history as the first ballot measure campaign to ever unionize, with the Eugene Clean Energy Fund Campaign Workers represented by Campaign Workers Guild.

“This is a win for our community,” said Aya Cockram, Oregon energy transition organizer at Breach Collective and co-chief petitioner for the Eugene Clean Energy Fund.

“The Eugene Clean Energy Fund campaign has been rooted in and driven forward by the community from day one, and we are grateful for every single organization, worker, and volunteer who showed up in full support of a future they believe in. This fund will allow us to build the Eugene current and future generations deserve. Thank you for showing what community power really looks like.”

In the vote results released at 11 p.m. Nov. 3, both the Clean Energy Fund measure and Ward 5 candidate Athena Aguiar were leading by a margin of 58-42%.