Today we launched ECEF – the Eugene Clean Energy Fund.
Today, we’re announcing something we’ve been working hard on alongside a coalition of environmental and climate justice organizations: the Eugene Clean Energy Fund (ECEF), a ballot initiative that would make billion-dollar corporations pay their fair share for climate action right here in Eugene. Ballot language was filed with the City of Eugene last Friday, February 20, and our goal is to bring this initiative to Eugene votes in November 2026.
What ECEF would do
The initiative would establish a 2% “Large Retailer License Fee” on the gross profits of corporations earning more than $1 billion in profits annually in the United States, and more than $500,000 within the City of Eugene. Revenue would be allocated by a committee of appointed Eugene residents toward clean energy, sustainability, and climate resilience projects across our city created by and for Eugenians.
Based on our coalition’s analysis, the fund could generate roughly $15 million per year for our community.
“It is time to hold billion-dollar corporations accountable. Our community is already experiencing deepening impacts from the climate crisis, alongside a housing and affordability crisis. We need to invest in real solutions now. The Eugene Clean Energy Fund will take two percent of massive corporations’ profits, and invest that money into clean energy, community resiliency, and sustainability projects, which will create jobs and help build a better future for our City.”
– Aya Cockram, Breach Collective statewide energy transition organizer, community member, and chief petitioner on the initiative.
Why Eugene needs this
Our community is already feeling the compounding weight of the climate crisis alongside a housing and affordability crisis. At the same time, the current federal administration is actively dismantling hard-won investments in climate action and environmental justice.
This initiative is closely modeled after the Portland Clean Energy Fund, which since its passage in 2018 has generated hundreds of millions of dollars for projects like energy efficiency upgrades in affordable housing, community solar, transportation decarbonization, and green infrastructure. Eugene deserves the same.
“As this federal administration continues to choose to put profit over people gutting hard fought investments into climate action and environmental justice, we have chosen to invest in our communities now. The Eugene Clean Energy Fund will ensure that the billion-dollar oil and gas corporations that are the most responsible for climate pollution in our city pay their fair share to funding solutions created by and for Eugenians who have been living on the frontlines of climate change, experiencing the worst of extreme weather and wildfires.”
– Joel Iboa, community member and chief petitioner of the initiative.
Built by a coalition
This campaign is the result of deep collaboration across organizations committed to environmental justice and community resilience. We’ve developed and launched this initiative alongside Beyond Toxics, Oregon Sierra Club, Oregon Just Transition Alliance, Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Just Solutions, and others.
Read the full petition language here.
How you can help
Please help support this grassroots campaign to make billion-dollar businesses pay their share, so that we can forge a just and livable future for our community.
Visit the ECEF website to learn more.
Endorse the initiative here.
Contact info@eugenecleanenergyfund.org to volunteer.
