A recent candidate questionnaire circulated by The Oregonian and OPB revealed that most 2024 candidates for mayor and City Council support the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF), a voter-approved tax on large retailers funding clean energy, job training, and green infrastructure.
Since its 2018 inception, PCEF has generated far more revenue than expected, with nearly $1.5 billion projected by 2028. This windfall has sparked debate over the allocation of funds, particularly after $7.6 million in interest was used this year to fill gaps in the city budget, raising concerns about diverting the fund from its original climate and social justice goals. In March, Willamette Week reported that Commissioner Rene Gonzalez was considering sending a revised version of PCEF to voters, though no such effort materialized.
The Oregonian/OPB survey asked council candidates the following question: Do you support putting the Clean Energy Fund measure back on the ballot? What, if any, changes would you support?
While over 30 candidates either didn’t answer the question directly or return the questionnaire at all, nearly 50 candidates replied no. “Voters spoke decisively when they approved PCEF in 2018. […] We need to safeguard these funds and ensure their efficiency,” wrote Candace Avalos, the executive director of the environmental nonprofit Verde, who is running for a seat in District 1. Avalos’ stance was echoed by Marnie Glickman, a political strategist running in District 2, who said, “We are fortunate to have PCEF because climate resilience costs are rising. […] PCEF is working better and better and shouldn’t be raided to fund other needs.”
Calls for Council Influence Over Selection Process
Some candidates who support PCEF suggested giving the council more direct influence over the use of its funds. “The one change I would see helpful is to have the selection process brought directly under the council’s purview,” wrote Rex Burkholder, a former Metro Councilor who is running in District 3.
While City Council has the final say over PCEF investments, the selection process is currently handled by a community-based committee. Bob Weinstein, a former mayor of Ketchikan, Alaska, who is running in District 4, argued that the council needs more flexibility in its ability to spend PCEF’s surplus funds. “While I don’t advocate putting it back on the ballot, I support allowing council discretion to allocate excess funds to other pressing city needs while maintaining PCEF’s core mission and funding,” he wrote.
Approximately 15 council candidates indicated support for returning PCEF to voters. “I believe there are exciting opportunities to use these funds for programs which are climate-related, but we need budget stability and flexibility in the short run. I want to preserve the original projected size of the program and move the excess to the general fund,” wrote Eli Arnold, a Portland police officer who is running for a seat in District 4. A similar answer came from Eric Zimmerman, chief of staff to County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, who’s also vying for a seat in District 4. “Yes, voters should have another say on the fund. The fund reputation had to be saved by Commissioner Rubio, and she laid out a strong plan to broaden the use of it. I think making the case with voters is smart and would help rinse off distrust surrounding the program,” wrote Zimmerman, who is also seeking a seat in District 4.
Other candidates who support sending PCEF back to voters include Noah Ernst, a taxi company supervisor in District 1; Mike Marshall, co-founder of the recovery advocacy organization Oregon Recovers, running in District 2; and Daniel DeMelo, a community organizer and engineer in District 3.
One candidate, community organizer Chris Olson in District 2, supported putting the tax back to voters in an effort to increase it. “I support putting the Clean Energy Fund measure back on the ballot with an increase in the PCEF tax to 2% for large corporations. This change ensures greater investment in renewable energy, green jobs, and economic justice, funded by those most able to contribute,” Olson stated.
A small number of candidates appear to have been under the impression that PCEF needs to go back on the ballot to be renewed, which is not the case, since the tax is not set to expire.
Mayoral Candidates Say PCEF Funds Should Be Reserved for Original Purpose
Mayoral candidates received a different question: Do you support the decision to use millions from the Portland Clean Energy Fund to backfill budget holes in various city bureaus? Would you seek to continue, expand, or halt that practice?
While eight candidates either didn’t return the questionnaire or didn’t answer the question directly, ten candidates indicated that they would not support the use of PCEF funds to bolster other city programs. “I believe the Portland Clean Energy Fund should be used for its intended purpose — investing in climate solutions. I would halt its use for backfilling budget holes, as it compromises the fund’s mission,” wrote City Commissioner Mingus Mapps. His colleague and mayoral rival, City Commissioner Carmen Rubio, agreed: “The Mayor and the PCEF committee agreed this year for a one-time redirect of interest earned on the funds – I am committed to holding the line moving forward,” Rubio said.
City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, who in March indicated interest in sending PCEF back to voters, was less definitive. “The corporate surcharge that funds PCEF is producing seven times its original projections. We must evaluate on an ongoing basis how to most strategically deploy this source of revenue. Stabilizing funding for city bureaus is a legitimate use of those funds and should be done openly and transparently.”
Mayoral candidate Keith Wilson, who is president of Titan Freight System, an eco-friendly trucking company, said he would not support the use of PCEF funds to fill budget holes.
“City leadership has siphoned away millions from the Portland Clean Energy Fund without a clearly articulated goal or financial accountability. I strongly oppose diverting PCEF funds to any purpose other than originally intended by Portland voters,” Wilson said.
Liv Østhus, an artist and stripper also running for mayor, also indicated she would oppose the usage of PCEF funds for non-climate-related purposes. “We could throw ten times the amount at the problem and still need more. Use the funds to hatch an actionable plan to move and improve the Critical Energy Infrastructure hub,” she wrote, referring to the cluster of fuel storage facilities along the Willamette River.
