State’s Largest Union SEIU 503 & U.S. Senator Merkley Endorse Eugene Clean Energy Fund as Momentum for Initiative Grows

For Immediate Release
August 25, 2026

Press Contact:
Emily Matlock, ematlock@beyondtoxics.org 541-543-2457

Eugene, Ore. - Oregon’s largest labor union, SEIU 503, and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley have both joined the growing list of over 80 elected officials, labor unions, environmental organizations and businesses supporting the Eugene Clean Energy Fund Initiative, which will be decided by Eugene voters this fall. 

"I strongly support this measure. Climate change is doing massive damage from fires and droughts to supercharged storms,” said U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley. “This fund's investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy are an important solution. Plus, it will create good paying jobs -- a win-win! Vote "YES”!”

Other state and local elected officials are also supporting the initiative, including State Senators Floyd Prozanski and James Manning, Bureau of Labor and Industries Commissioner Christina Stephenson, former Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, and State Representative Mark Gamba, Chair of the House Interim Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment. 

A “yes” vote for the Eugene Clean Energy Fund initiative this November will place a 2% Large Retailer License Fee on corporations like Walmart, Amazon and Chase Bank that earn more than $1 billion in profits annually in the United States, and over $500,000 in profits within the City of Eugene. Funds will be allocated through a community-led process to projects supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency; job training, apprenticeships, and contractor support in the clean energy sector; green infrastructure; and future innovation. This initiative is projected to generate at least $15 million annually to invest back into clean energy and jobs in the Eugene community. 

The initiative is closely based on the 2018 Portland Clean Energy Fund initiative, which passed with 65% of the vote and has since invested over $1.7 billion into climate, sustainability and clean energy projects in Portland. The initiative would establish an independent committee made up of appointed City residents to make recommendations on how to spend the revenue generated by the fee to be spent on clean energy, sustainability, and climate resiliency projects across Eugene, with a focus on ensuring benefits to low income and historically marginalized communities. The Committee’s recommendations would be sent to the Eugene City Council, which would make the final decision whether to approve the recommendations. 

The Eugene Clean Energy Fund campaign is led by environmental justice and climate organizations Beyond Toxics, Oregon Just Transition Alliance, Breach Collective, Oregon League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club, and has been endorsed by over sixty organizations, labor unions, local businesses and elected officials, including the Eugene Education Association, Senator James Manning Jr., Tacovore, Hummingbird Wholesale, and former Mayor Kitty Piercy.

Read more about the campaign here. Find a full list of endorsing individuals and organizations here. Find free-to-use photographs here.

###