Portland, Ore. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced last Tuesday that PDX Clean Industry Network was one of 23 teams to win a CONCEPT phase of the American-Made Community Energy Innovation Prize. This team includes the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS), Columbia Corridor Association, PSU Institute for Sustainable Solutions, Prosper Portland, Energy 350, OSU Industrial Assessment Center, Center for Sustainable Infrastructure, Worksystems, and OMIC R&D.
Each of the 23 teams was awarded $100,000 in prize money and will receive in-kind mentorship and other support services throughout the subsequent prize phases. The DOE notes, “The Community Energy Innovation Prize supports capacity building, innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development related to clean energy and climate for disadvantaged communities in accordance with the Justice40 Initiative.”
The prize will support the development of a robust business network to implement industrial symbiosis projects leading to reductions in carbon emissions, pollution, and waste, as well as growth in Portland’s clean manufacturing workforce. This project is part of the Clean Industry Initiative, a collaborative effort to transition Portland’s industrial sector to a cleaner future.
“This grant will support a network of local industrial practices that drives profitability, creates good-paying jobs, and provides opportunities for all of our communities, while actively reducing carbon emissions and making other positive environmental impacts. Through mutual collaboration and shared goals, we can work toward a carbon-neutral future,” said Commissioner Carmen Rubio.
“This is the most exciting prospect I’ve seen for Portland in a long time,” said Corky Collier, Executive Director of Columbia Corridor. “We expand jobs and improve the environment by collaborating with manufacturers to find profitable ways to reduce emissions.”
PDX Clean Industry Network is one of ten teams awarded in their track. Each team will move on to the PROGRESS Phase to implement planned community projects. In July 2024, teams will report their progress and be eligible for an additional $100,000 and progress to the IMPACT phase where they will present accomplishments at a final event in December 2024.
About the Clean Industry Initiative
The Clean Industry Initiative aims to help local industries and businesses achieve climate goals and remain competitive. It also supports a just transition as it creates opportunities for workers and communities at the frontlines of the climate crisis in the transition to a fossil fuel-free economy. Led by BPS staff, this project was created after conversations with community members indicated that transitioning to clean energy and decarbonizing industrial activities was a priority for the City and community. Industry partners like Evraz, Vigor, and City of Roses joined the effort and BPS signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Portland State University late last year to advance Clean Industry work. BPS staff are currently working to set up a Clean Industry Advisory Group to further inform this important work.
About the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) develops creative and practical solutions to enhance Portland’s livability, preserve distinctive places and plan for a resilient future. BPS collaborates with community partners to provide comprehensive land use, neighborhood, district, economic, historic and environmental planning, and urban design; research, policy and technical services to advance green building, energy efficiency and the use of solar and renewable energy, waste prevention, composting and recycling, and a sustainable food system; and policy and actions to address climate change.