PECI’s Last Chapter
An Overview of the Final Five Years
The arc of Portland Energy Conservation, Inc. (PECI) spanned 44 years, from 1979 through 2023. During this time, PECI was on the leading edge of technologies and implementation tools – from its ambitious beginnings as a small non-profit promoting energy conservation, to its growing role as a not-for-profit company with national stature and impact, and to its concluding chapter as an organization working in partnership with others to promote clean energy and climate justice efforts in the Northwest. This document celebrates the achievements of PECI and its partners through the organization’s grantmaking program during the final five years.
Origins and Growth
In 1979, spurred by the energy crises of the 1970s and statewide land use laws, City of Portland leaders and the community developed the Portland Energy Policy. The Energy Policy was the first municipal-level energy plan in the United States. It focused on energy conservation for residents and businesses, renewable resources, the impact of land use on energy consumption, and energy efficient transportation options. A central part of the Energy Policy was the creation of the Portland Energy Office, a new city department, and Portland Energy Conservation, Inc. (PECI). The organization was later spun off as an independent non-profit. PECI’s origin story and early years are captured in “A Legacy in Common – How Portland Created PECI and How PECI Helped Define Portland’s Progressive Identity.”
From its challenging early days, the small nonprofit organization eventually grew to more than 300 employees, with clients nationwide. The group earned a reputation as a leader in the field of energy efficiency and energy resource management, with special expertise in 1) designing and implementing energy efficiency programs for utility and government agency clients, 2) accelerating the adoption of energy-efficient technologies, and 3) demonstrating the value of efficient homes and commercial buildings.
Expanded Reach and a New Focus
In 2014, PECI expanded its reach by formally merging with CLEAResult, a large for-profit company working across the U.S. and Canada. In conjunction with the sale of PECI’s energy efficiency program assets, the vast majority of PECI staff transferred to CLEAResult. PECI retained its name and status as a separate nonprofit run by the Board of Directors, and continued its mission to promote energy efficiency, especially in the Northwest.
From 2014 – 2018, PECI focused its efforts in two areas:
1) Supporting communities to be more resilient and thrive in the new energy economy, providing technical and program assistance to several cities to help them pursue an affordable, equitable and low-carbon future, while stabilizing energy costs, generating future revenue, and positioning the local workforce for emerging energy sector jobs.
2) Investing in clean technology start-ups that had the potential to play critical roles in the emerging clean energy economy.