BEND, OR -- Bend city officials announced Tuesday they have secured the matching funds needed to move forward with its Climate Action Plan, in conjunction with the Environmental Center. The Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) has awarded a $50,000 grant to support the city’s effort to increase energy efficiency and reduce fossil fuel consumption.
In 2016, Bend City Councilors approved a resolution to reduce community-wide fossil fuel use by 40% by 2030 and by 70% by 2050. The next step in the plan is for the city to hire a Sustainability Coordinator to manage a volunteer advisory committee. The goal is a community-endorsed energy action plan by fall 2019.
Bend Senior Policy Analyst Gillian Ockner said in a statement, "We are so grateful to the OCF donor families who have matched the Partners for Places grant award we received this fall. It is further indication of the shared value in Oregon of protecting our environment while supporting our communities. We are excited to begin the process of identifying the appropriate course of action for Bend to meet its fossil fuel reduction goals while providing economic, social and environmental benefits to the Bend community."
