Catholic Community Services Foundation Awarded Funding For Electric Vehicle And Chargers Through PGE's Drive Change Fund (Photo) -09/20/23

Salem, Ore. – In conjunction with National Drive Electric Week, Catholic Community Services Foundation (CCSF) announced that it was selected by Portland General Electric's 2023 Drive Change Fund (DCF) to receive a grant for an electric service vehicle and an electric vehicle charging station at the Bishop Steiner Building, the central office building of Catholic Community Services (CCS). 

The project, entitled Interconnections: Environmental Stewardship in Service, creates a partnership between PGE and CCSF with the aim of increasing equitable access to clean energy initiatives. The DCF funding will provide an electric vehicle for use by Community Health Workers (CHWs) to deliver critical goods and services to recipients of the CCS Fostering Hope Initiative (FHI) and a charging station at the CCS Portland Road NE headquarters building. The DCF is the second partnership between CCSF and PGE, who last year funded a solar array at CCS headquarters. Together, these projects enable CCSF to bring its clean energy initiative full circle. 

"The word 'Interconnections' is a layered description of our environmental commitment," says CCSF Chief Executive Officer Josh Graves. "This commitment is rooted in the Catholic Social Teaching on Stewardship of the Earth, which links our duties toward the Earth and our duties toward others. The Interconnections project is an opportunity for CCS to include, educate, and inspire communities who are at escalated risk from the health and economic risks of climate change."

The new, battery-powered FHI pickup will be seen in one of many capacities in our Northgate neighborhoods and surrounding service areas: transporting CHWs or those we serve to facilitate in-person meetings; bulk or large item pickup from donors or delivery to someone in need; assistance during an evacuation or extenuating event; or at the many outreach, educational and community events CHWs coordinate.

The PGE DCF is made possible through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Clean Fuels Program (CFP). This program is funded by the sale of Oregon CFP credits, which PGE aggregates on behalf of residential customers who charge their electric vehicles at home. The fund supports projects aimed at expanding electric mobility options and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and prioritizes projects focused on serving vulnerable populations and underserved communities.

"Portland General Electric is excited to award funds from DEQ's Oregon Clean Fuels Program to support our partners in expanding cleaner transportation systems across the state," said Elyssia Lawrence, senior manager, Product Manager, and head of PGE's Transportation Electrification team. "Transportation electrification plays an essential role in accelerating the clean energy transition. It is going to take all of us working together to achieve a cleaner and more equitable future for all Oregonians."

Transportation is the single biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon and a major source of other air pollutants. "For this reason," says Graves, "it is the perfect opportunity to be part of the difference and to widen the circle of engagement. CCSF is grateful for PGE's determined efforts and excited to be a part of this larger environmental initiative."

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About Catholic Community Services Foundation: Founded in 1987, Catholic Community Services Foundation (CCSF) supports the mission and assures financial stability of Catholic Community Services of the Mid-Willamette Valley and Central Coast (CCS) through:    

• Affordable Housing Development and Management
• Fund Development
• Communications, Marketing, Public Relations
• Advocacy for Sound Public Policy
• Professional Office Space Development and Management

Catholic Community Services was founded in 1938. The mission of CCS is to provide a Christian ministry caring for all in our community, built on faith, hope and kinship. We serve more than 5,000 poor and vulnerable children, youth and adults each year through 11 programs that include behavioral health; child, youth, and family services; and community homes for adults who experience intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Our services are offered to all those in need, with appreciation and acknowledgment of the history, traditions, expressions, and value systems. The affordable housing program of CCSF works collaboratively to connect housing assistance with natural and professional support that strengthens families and paves the way to housing stability and self-sufficiency.     

About Portland General Electric Company: Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is a fully integrated energy company that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to over 900,000 customers in 51 cities across the state of Oregon. For more than 130 years, Portland General Electric (PGE) has powered the advancement of society, delivering safe, affordable, reliable and increasingly clean energy. To deliver on its strategy and meet state targets, PGE and its approximately 3,000 employees are committed to partnering with stakeholders to achieve at least an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from power served to customers by 2030 and a 100% reduction by 2040. PGE customers set the standard for prioritizing clean energy with the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the country. Additionally, for the fifth year in a row, PGE was recognized by the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index which highlights companies committed to creating a more equal and inclusive workplace. As a reflection of the company's commitment to the community it serves, in 2022, PGE employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated nearly $5.5 million and volunteered more than 18,000 hours with more than 400 nonprofits across Oregon. For more information visit www.PortlandGeneral.com/news.