Portland Business Alliance Blasts City’s Clean Energy Program

Portland’s most influential business group is taking aim at the city’s clean energy program.

The Portland Business Alliance wrote a letter to Mayor Ted Wheeler and all four city commissioners, obtained by the Oregonian.  It says city leaders should freeze all spending for the voter- supported clean energy program, and suspend grant issuing powers until there’s an independent review. 

The business group also suggested that city leaders use millions of dollars from the fund to help pay for other priorities like creating shelters for people living in tents and recreational vehicles.  This comes after a city audit found the program’s generated more than $185 million, but has not set performance or accountability standards. 

The business alliance unsuccessfully fought voter approval of the clean energy fund in 2018.