Eager to see progress on Portland’s climate goals, environmental advocates are urging Portland’s Charter Review Commission to propose a charter amendment that would oppose the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in the city. Advocates believe the ongoing charter review process is an opportunity to strengthen Portland’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and advance its climate goals. “This is not a radical shift, and it's not banning all fossil fuel use tomorrow, but rather something.
Portland City Council considered possible structural code changes to the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) Wednesday following years of criticism of the first-of-its-kind program. While the changes aim to align the fund more closely with the city’s climate goals, members of the public and some PCEF supporters raised concerns that the proposed amendments to the city policy may compromise the program’s core intentions. “We are here to reaffirm [PCEF’s] prioritization of low-income communities and communities.