Portland’s Journey Toward Sustainability

Sustainlane: Portland ranked #1

In the Beginning…

1979: Local Energy Plan1993: Carbon Dioxide Reduction

Strategy Integrated Energy with:

Housing Land Use Transportation Business

2001: Local Action Plan on Global Warming Jointly Adopted

with Multnomah County

CO2 Reduction Goal:

10% below 1990 levels by 2010

Addressing Climate Change

1979: Local Energy Plan 1993: Carbon Dioxide Reduction Strategy 2001: Local Action Plan on Global Warming

2008: Updating “Climate Protection Action Plan”

New, aggressive goal: 80% reduction below 1990 levels by 2050

Policies and actions to meet those goals

Additional Motivations

Improve air quality

Reduce traffic congestion

Create economic opportunities

Reduce rising energy bills for residents and businesses

Save governments millions in operating expenses

Walking the Talk

1990: “City Energy Challenge”Goal: 10% Energy Reduction by 2010

(done!)City Facilities & Street/Traffic Lights:

100% Renewables by 2010

PacifiCorp

Walking the Talk

Green FleetBiodiesel: 20% 99%; Largest B99 in

US80 FlexFuel Vehicles (85% ethanol)50 Hybrids – Toyota Prius

Walking the Talk….

Green Building Policy LEED Gold 75% waste

recycling Code: 30% better

•water, •energy, •stormwater

Ecoroofs

Sustainability Policies

Renewable Fuels StandardOnly Local Govt. in US

All Diesel = 5% Biodiesel All Gasoline = 10% Ethanol 2010 = 10% Biodiesel

Planning

Key Issues: Global Warming Peak Oil

Peak Oil Goal: Reduce oil and

natural gas consumption by:

50% in next 25 years

Transit

(Photo courtesy of Portland Development Commission)

Biking

Bike Commuting in Portland

Accomplishments Since 1990

Most Green Buildings in US (LEED)Highest Hybrid Ownership in US, per

capitaTransit: Ridership up 85%Bike Commutes: QuadrupledVehicle Miles Traveled: Down 7%, per

capitaGasoline Sales: Down 13%, per capitaHousehold Energy: Down 5%, per capitaCity Facilities: $2.6 M saved, per yearRecycling Rate: More Than Tripled

Accomplishments

Greenhouse gas emissions trend

85%

90%

95%

100%

105%

110%

115%

120%

19901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006

Percent of 1990 level

Multnomah Co. United States

Accomplishments

Greenhouse gas emissions trend

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050

Percent of 1990 level

Multnomah Co. United States

Portland 2010 Goal: 10% below 1990 levels

Emissions level required to stabilize the climate

Michele Crim, 503-823-5638, mcrim@ci.portland.or.us