Beyond Toxics launches signature gathering for clean energy fund April 16
3 min read
from Beyond ToxicsÂ
Local climate, health, housing, social, and racial justice organizations have come together to develop the Eugene Clean Energy Fund (ECEF) initiative. With your help, it will be on the November 2026 ballot.
We are excited to announce the launch of the ECEF signature gathering campaign. Join us for a launch party April 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Claim 52 Brewery, 232 Lincoln Street, to power up the Eugene Clean Energy Fund.
Be among the first to sign the petition and help us secure a spot on the November ballot. Hear from the organizers and supporters and learn how you can get involved at this free and fun event.
What is the Eugene Clean Energy Fund? ECEF turns corporate profits into community power through a small 2% fee on corporations operating in Eugene and earning $1 billion nationally.
Through a fee on the profits of the largest, wealthiest businesses in Eugene, ECEF will fund community-driven programs to:
- Reduce household energy burden and improve home comfort;
- Expand public-owned renewable energy and other green infrastructure;
- Create jobs in the green economy;
- Build community-wide climate resiliency, especially for Eugene’s frontline and historically marginalized areas.
The issues:
- Eugene is falling far behind its own climate goals, and failing to address rising affordability issues and climate impacts.
- Corporations are profiting from the climate and affordability crisis, while enjoying tax breaks at the state and federal levels. A strong majority of Eugenians support government incentives to accelerate a fair and just transition to clean energy, and are in favor of making large corporations pay their fair share towards funding a just transition.
- Portland passed the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) in 2018 with 65% support. It has far exceeded expectations, generating $1.71 billion in funding so far. In 2024, PCEF invested $92 million in grants to 71 community-led programs. In 2025, PCEF, which has become the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, announced $64.3 million in grants awarded to 60 community projects. That all comes from just a 1% surcharge on Portland’s largest retailers. PCEF is the biggest city climate justice fund in the world and Eugene is ready to follow in its footsteps to help lead Oregon into a greener future.
Since 2010, the City has reduced fossil fuel emissions in its own operations by 24%. The goal is to reach a 50% reduction by 2030. That leaves just four years to reduce emissions by an additional 26%.
Community fossil fuel emissions have decreased by just 11% since 2010, leaving a 39% gap to close in order to achieve a 50% reduction by 2030.
Similarly, community greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by only 10%, with another 90% needed to achieve the goal of a 100% reduction by 2050.
Polling shows that 63% of Eugene voters would support a fee on large retailers to fund clean energy jobs and job training in low-income Eugene neighborhoods.
Currently, Eugene’s existing clean energy transition incentives are underfunded and limited. The Eugene Clean Energy Fund will not only create funds for local climate justice programs, but serve as a launch pad for long-term organizing for a clean energy future.
The funds created by the Eugene Clean Energy Fund will support four main categories of use:
- Renewable energy & energy efficiency programs: 60%
- Clean energy jobs training, apprenticeships, & contractor support: 25%
- Green infrastructure programs that result in carbon gas sequestration: 10%
- Future innovation: 5%
It will build a network of regular, everyday people who want to reestablish Eugene as a city that stands for community, environment, labor, and justice. Help us spread the word by following EugeneCleanEnergyFund on social media and learn more at EugeneCleanEnergyFund.org.
