Appoint members to the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund Committee

The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) provides a consistent long-term funding source and oversight structure to invest in climate action projects that support environmental justice and social, economic, and environmental benefits for all Portlanders, including the development of a diverse and well-trained workforce and contractor pool to perform work that reduces or sequesters greenhouse gases. The PCEF Committee recommends the PCEF Climate Investment Plan to the City Council and evaluates the effectiveness of the PCEF program in achieving the goals described in Portland City Code Chapter 7.07. Following this appointment, the PCEF Committee will be at full capacity with 9 volunteer members with expertise in a range of areas.

There are no additional financial or budgetary impacts. All costs are budgeted and allocated from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund as allowable administrative expense. Costs may include: reimbursement for childcare expense, transportation expense, food for meetings, other services including translation/interpretation and ADA accommodation, and a nominal stipend.

The PCEF Committee is comprised of experts and community members who recommend the PCEF Climate Investment Plan to the City Council and evaluate the effectiveness of the PCEF program in achieving its goals. The Committee deliberates using an equity and climate framework and is committed to effective public involvement and leadership in its work and in the decisions it considers. A recruitment for three vacant PCEF Committee positions was made available in January 2023. A Recruitment Subcommittee comprised of 3 PCEF Committee members reviewed applications and conducted interviews with a selected group of candidates. The full PCEF Committee recommended three finalists for appointment to the PCEF Committee, followed by finalists being interviewed by Commissioner Rubio in June 2023.