POSTED FEBRUARY 15, 2018
(Portland, OR) -
Bureau earns significant rebates, reinvested in yet more energy efficient projects; PP&R efforts mean less need for maintenance, and lower costs
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) earned more than $250,000 in rebates in 2017 for the Bureau’s efforts towards energy efficiency and sustainability. The savings to taxpayers are thanks to PP&R staff efforts and a partnership with the Energy Trust of Oregon.
The Bureau will be reinvesting those rebates to launch an energy- and water-saving project at 48 sites; an effort towards sustainability on a much larger scale.
PHOTO: Solar panels help power PP&R’s Matt Dishman Community Center. The Bureau’s East Portland Community Center, Wilson Pool, and Southwest Community Center also have solar panels.
Portland Parks & Recreation is making a significant contribution towards the City’s commitment to using 100% renewable energy by 2050. This mark was established by a unanimous City Council vote in 2017, and Portland’s elected officials continue to recognize the importance energy efficiency plays in reaching that achievement.
“Portland Parks & Recreation is leading the way towards sustainability and energy efficiency,” says Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz. “Our City must move towards sustainable practices as soon as possible. PP&R’s programs, sites, and staff are becoming a model of how city government can embrace sustainability, while reducing costs to taxpayers.”
Portland Parks & Recreation earned $267,191 in rebates from Energy Trust of Oregon in 2017, and thanks to ongoing energy-saving efforts, the Bureau has another $120,841 in further credits earned for next year already. The credits were largely awarded for upgrades to various building control systems.
“These savings, and the upcoming large-scale sustainability project, would not have happened without the innovative efforts of our dedicated PP&R staff,” says Portland Parks & Recreation Director Mike Abbaté. “PP&R project managers and maintenance workers - electricians, carpenters, and other tradespeople -earned those rebates. I applaud our creative, committed staff and their ongoing work to ensure a greener future for Portlanders, of both current and future generations.”
The Bureau will be establishing a pilot program - an energy and water savings performance contract - to study how utility use can be reduced. The target of the pilot is to reduce maintenance and utility costs at approximately 20% of PP&R’s sites. Portland Parks & Recreation is proud to take this important step in realizing the City’s sustainability goals.
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