Applications to support local projects that will increase access to electric transportation are due Aug. 30

PORTLAND, Ore. — Today Portland General Electric announced the creation of the PGE Drive Change Fund to award local community organizations and businesses grants that will help electrify Oregon’s transportation sector. From transit buses and passenger cars to community service vehicles and electric bikes, the fund will award $1.75 million to electrification projects.

Funded by the sale of Oregon Clean Fuels Program credits, the PGE Drive Change Fund will return the value of the credits to local communities by advancing transportation electrification projects aimed at expanding mobility options and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Transportation is the largest source of carbon emissions in the state, making an electrified transportation system critical to a low-carbon future,” said John McFarland, PGE vice president and chief customer officer. “PGE is committed to supporting an electric transportation system that serves everyone, and the PGE Drive Change Fund will help us do that.”

This year, PGE filed plans to invest the Oregon Clean Fuels Program credits to help make electric transportation available to everyone. Its proposals include the PGE Drive Change Fund to advance electric transportation in the area, a pilot program to help school districts buy electric buses, increased access to Electric Avenue charging stations for low-income customers and public outreach to raise awareness about the benefits of electric vehicles.

How to apply for a grant

Community organizations, nonprofits and businesses can apply to the PGE Drive Change Fund for project grants. Successful projects will include those that expand access to electric vehicles, develop new charging infrastructure, and support education and outreach efforts to address barriers to electric vehicle adoption. The application is available now and submissions will be accepted from July 1 to Aug. 30, 2019.

Grant sizes range from $5,000 to $575,000. Awards from the PGE Drive Change Fund can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs. Applicants do not need to be PGE customers, but all projects must benefit the public in PGE’s service area. Projects that address the needs of underserved communities are preferred.

How does the PGE Drive Change Fund work?

The PGE Drive Change Fund is supported by the sale of Oregon Clean Fuels Program credits, which PGE receives on behalf of residential customers who charge their electric vehicles at home.

The Oregon Clean Fuels Program, administered by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, aims to reduce Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by 10% from 2015 to 2025. PGE participates in the program as a provider of low-carbon transportation fuel, and the funds from the sale of credits PGE receives will be used to promote and support transportation electrification.

In 2018, PGE received credits from the DEQ for the previous two years, which PGE sold for approximately $5.5 million. In March 2019, following consultation with stakeholders, PGE filed its plan to invest these funds in various programs that will benefit local communities such as the PGE Drive Change Fund.

For more information about the fund, details on how to apply for a grant or to sign up for the upcoming informational webinar, visit portlandgeneral.com/drivechangefund.

ABOUT PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY: Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is a fully integrated energy company based in Portland, Oregon, serving approximately 887,000 customers in 51 cities. For more than 130 years, PGE has been delivering safe, affordable and reliable energy to Oregonians. Together with its customers, PGE has the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the U.S. With approximately 3,000 employees across the state, PGE is committed to helping its customers and the communities it serves build a clean energy future. For more information, visit portlandgeneral.com/cleanvision.

HRC Equality Index

PGE will be joined by other Oregon businesses to celebrate workforce equality, diversity and equity

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland General Electric and other Oregon businesses will kick off Pride Month with a special rainbow flag raising ceremony at PGE’s World Trade Center headquarters on Friday, May 31.

For the past six years, PGE has been named one of the “Best Places to Work” for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign. This year PGE was one of only two companies in Oregon to earn a spot on the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index.

“We’re pleased to celebrate the start of June’s Pride Month and recognize the contributions of our LGBTQ employees and customers,” said Anne Mersereau, PGE vice president of Human Resources, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “We’re honored to receive this recognition and are committed to building on our progress and fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, safe and included.”
 

Event details:

WHAT: A ceremony to raise the rainbow flag to kick off Pride Month. Following brief remarks by Anne Mersereau, attendees will be treated to live music,  pride-themed treats and accessories.

WHEN: Friday, May 31. The ceremony will begin promptly at noon.

WHERE: One World Trade Center, 121 SW Salmon St., near the flag poles on the plaza level.

WHO: The event is organized by PGE’s employee-led LGBT+ Business Resource Group and hosted by PGE and Portland’s World Trade Center. LGBTQ groups from local companies will also participate.

AUDIENCE: The ceremony is open to the public and all are invited to join the celebration. Last year, more than 200 people joined in to show their support.

Later in the month, PGE employees will also be participating in the June 16 Portland Pride Parade. This year’s parade marks the 20th anniversary of PGE’s participation in the parade.

What is the Corporate Equality Index? 

The Corporate Equality Index is a national benchmarking tool developed by the Human Rights Campaign to evaluate a company’s LGBTQ-related policies and practices, including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits and engagement in the LGBTQ community.

PGE is one of six Oregon businesses to earn a perfect score, including Adidas North America Inc., Cambia Health Solutions Inc., Nike Inc., Standard Insurance Co. and Stoel Rives LLP. Only 572 companies achieved this international distinction.

What is the Gender-Equality Index?

Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index recognizes national and international companies for their commitment to transparency and advancing women’s equality in the following categories: company polices, workforce demographics, and community engagement and support. The 2019 index recognized 230 companies globally.  

About Portland General Electric Company: Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is a fully integrated energy company based in Portland, Oregon, serving approximately 887,000 customers in 51 cities. For more than 130 years, PGE has been delivering safe, affordable and reliable energy to Oregonians. Together with its customers, PGE has the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the U.S. With approximately 3,000 employees across the state, PGE is committed to helping its customers and the communities it serves build a clean energy future. For more information, visit portlandgeneral.com/cleanvision.

Electric Avenue charging network map

Today Lyft announced that it will be partnering with Portland General Electric to provide its qualifying electric vehicle drivers with a subscription to charge at all locations in PGE’s Electric Avenue network. Following its launch of Green Mode — a ride option that lets passengers choose an EV or hybrid — earlier this month, Lyft hopes this new offering will encourage current gas-combustion drivers to consider making the switch to an EV.

“We’re thrilled to partner with PGE to provide this service for our EV drivers,” said Nathan Lawless, Lyft Oregon Market manager. “Supporting our electric vehicle fleet reinforces our commitment to a sustainable future and will reduce the amount of emissions created by vehicles on the Lyft platform.”

Lyft will purchase these charging subscriptions and provide them to EV drivers for free. The subscriptions will go into effect on July 1. Drivers with qualifying vehicles will receive an email from Lyft, which will allow them to fill out a brief survey to opt into the program. Drivers will be able to access charging stations in several locations throughout the Portland region, including Downtown Portland, Milwaukie and the newest station in Hillsboro. Having access to these stations will reduce stress for EV drivers, while continuing Lyft’s work to minimize its impact on the environment.

“There is no greater imperative right now than fighting the effects of climate change, which requires addressing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation,” said Dave Robertson, vice president of Public Policy at PGE. “We’re proud to fuel Lyft’s mission to minimize its impact on the environment with a robust and healthy EV charging network, as it aligns with our goal to help deploy electric transportation that serves everyone — regardless of how they choose to move throughout our region.”

This collaboration is another example of stakeholders working closely to electrify transportation to achieve a clean energy future. To learn more about the Electric Avenue public charging network and our sustainability efforts, visit portlandgeneral.com/ev or lyft.com/city.

About Lyft: Lyft was founded in 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to improve people’s lives with the world’s best transportation, and is available to 95% of the United States population as well as select cities in Canada. Lyft is committed to effecting positive change for our cities by offsetting carbon emissions from all rides, and by promoting transportation equity through shared rides, bikeshare systems, electric scooters and public transit partnerships.

About Portland General Electric Company: Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is a fully integrated energy company based in Portland, Oregon, serving approximately 887,000 customers in 51 cities. For more than 130 years, PGE has been delivering safe, affordable and reliable energy to Oregonians. Together with its customers, PGE has the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the U.S. With approximately 3,000 employees across the state, PGE is committed to helping its customers and the communities it serves build a clean energy future. For more information, visit portlandgeneral.com/cleanvision.