Commissioner Carmen Rubio will propose changes to the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, the $300 million pot of discretionary cash that has drawn criticism for lax due diligence in its grant process and poor measurement of its performance as it distributes money for climate projects aimed at disadvantaged communities.Rubio plans to present her proposed changes to the City Council later today. The official ordinance would not be voted on by Council until mid-October.PCEF, as it’s known, raises tens of millions of dollars per year from a levy on large retailers. It has been subject criticism since its infancy—including an audit earlier this spring that said PCEF failed to adequately track, measure and report its performance. Rubio’s proposed changes are sweeping and aim to address various issues including lack of accountability and less-than rigorous vetting.Perhaps…
Commissioner Carmen Rubio Proposes Sweeping Reform to Portland Clean Energy Fund
