EUGENE, Ore. - Community organizations launched a campaign to establish the Eugene Clean Energy Fund, a ballot measure that would establish a fee on large corporations in order to fund local climate action at the City level. The campaign filed ballot language with the City of Eugene last Friday, February 20th, with the intention of having the initiative be voted on in November 2026.
“It is time to hold billion-dollar corporations accountable. Our community is already experiencing deepening impacts from the climate crisis, alongside a housing and affordability crisis. We need to invest in real solutions now,” said Aya Cockram, community member and chief petitioner on the initiative. “The Eugene Clean Energy Fund will take two percent of massive corporations’ profits, and invest that money into clean energy, community resiliency, and sustainability projects, which will create jobs and help build a better future for our City.”
The initiative, which is closely based on the successful 2018 Portland Clean Energy Fund, would establish a 2% “Large Retailer License Fee” on the gross profits of corporations earning more than $1 billion in profits annually in the United States, and over $500,000 in profits within the City of Eugene. The initiative would establish a committee made up of appointed City residents to allocate the revenue generated by the fee to be spent on clean energy, sustainability, and climate resiliency projects across Eugene.
“As this federal administration continues to choose to put profit over people gutting hard fought investments into climate action and environmental justice, we have chosen to invest in our communities now,” said Joel Iboa, community member and chief petitioner of the initiative. "The Eugene Clean Energy Fund will ensure that the billion-dollar oil and gas corporations that are the most responsible for climate pollution in our city pay their fair share to funding solutions created by and for Eugenians who have been living on the frontlines of climate change, experiencing the worst of extreme weather and wildfires.”
The Portland Clean Energy Fund has generated hundreds of millions of dollars and directed these funds towards critical projects, including energy efficiency upgrades in affordable housing, community solar, transportation decarbonization, and green infrastructure programs. Based on analysis conducted by advocates, the Eugene initiative could be expected to generate about $15 million a year, which will be allocated towards similar, community-driven programs and initiatives.
The initiative is being supported by a coalition of environmental and climate justice organizations, including Beyond Toxics, Sierra Club, Oregon Just Transition Alliance, Breach Collective, and more.