Portland schools are set to receive $50 million to boost climate action through the Portland Clean Energy Fund over the next five years.
On Wednesday, Portland city commissioners unanimously approved PCEF’s Climate Friendly Public Schools plan for seven districts that have schools inside Portland city limits. The funds will support energy-efficient retrofits for older buildings, like installing solar panels and new air-conditioning systems and increasing tree canopy in school yards.
The voter-approved Portland Clean Energy Fund uses a tax on retail sales in the city to generate revenue, with a particular aim of addressing effects of climate change in communities that have historically been marginalized or underserved.
In this 2022 file photo, Ida B. Wells High School student Mac McCarter chants with other youth climate activists in a push for meaningful climate response. Portland Public Schools, where Ida B. Wells is based, is one of seven districts that will receive funds to support climate action under a plan approved Wednesday.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
The Climate Friendly Public Schools stems from PCEF’s five-year, $750 million Climate Investment Plan, which was approved last September.
During Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said he is very supportive of the program.
“Fifty million dollars will be distributed over five years to public schools and districts to pay for youth-initiated climate activations, as well as upgrading school facilities to be more energy efficient,” he said. “I think this is fantastic.”
The seven school districts are:
- Portland Public Schools — $19,930,833
- David Douglas — $12,036,146
- Parkrose — $5,729,479
- Centennial — $4,692,500
- Reynolds — $4,190,313
- Multnomah Education Service District — $3,420,729
- Riverdale — $75,000
Schools in each selected district will have two years to provide PCEF with project proposals.
Multnomah Education Service District Board Member Danny Cage said the Climate Friendly Public Schools plan reflects much of the larger movement for education sustainability.
“These funds will move us to both support sustainability and the needs of our students here in Portland, which is particularly helpful given the very limited state funding available to school districts for facilities,” he said.
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During a City Council meeting last month, Cage told city commissioners his Multnomah ESD supports some of the region’s most historically underserved students. Multnomah ESD is a cooperative that operates multiple schools that serve many students, including those with disabilities and other special needs, who live in Multnomah County’s eight other school districts. Its current enrollment includes 60% students of color, and 93% special education students. Three of the district’s eligible buildings were built between 1951 and 1958, Cage said.
“A preliminary building systems audit from 2021 shows that much of our equipment is beyond its current life expectancy,” he said during an April city council meeting. “That includes things like HVAC systems, lighting, replacements and upgrades and retrofits are all needed.”
Other districts, like Reynolds, plan to use their funds at Alder, Glenfair and Margaret Scott — all schools located within Portland city limits.
Steve Padilla, Reynolds School District’s director of communications, said all three eligible buildings are more than 50 years old and have a long list of maintenance needs that the PCEF funding can address.
“Over the past two summers there were days where we had to cancel summer programs due to forecasted high temperatures and/or unhealthy smoky air conditions and a lack of air conditioning in our schools,” he said.
Related: Portland approves 5-year, $750 million climate action plan
Some possible projects include replacing older heating and cooling ventilation systems with more energy-efficient systems that will improve air filtration, installing new roofs, replacing current lighting with LED lighting and adding better insulation to buildings.
“The Reynolds School District is grateful for the city council’s decision to approve funding for PCEF’s Climate Friendly Public Schools initiative,” he said in an emailed statement. “It is a great acknowledgment of their commitment to sustainability and the future well-being of RSD students and the community.”
