Each year, Energy Trust develops and seeks public input on a proposed two-year budget and action plan. Through an open, transparent process, annual goals and activities are developed, reviewed by the board of directors and the public, and submitted to the Oregon Public Utility Commission.

This year, the 2014-2015 budget will be available for comment and review by interested parties and citizens from October 31 to November 27, 2013. Web links to the draft materials, details on savings and generation goals and more information on program activities proposed in the budget will be posted on the Synergy blog in November.

Energy Trust works collaboratively with Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas to analyze what energy-efficiency savings can be acquired and at what cost in the upcoming year. The budget is then designed to meet those “Integrated Resource Plan” goals for each utility, while helping develop small-scale generation from a variety of renewable energy resources for PGE and Pacific Power.

Through the budget development and refinement process, Energy Trust invites written public comment—accepted by email, mail or in person—and presents the draft budget and action plan to two advisory councils, each utility, the Energy Trust board of directors and the Oregon Public Utility Commission through multiple public meetings.

On December 13, the Energy Trust board of directors will review a final draft of the proposed 2014-2015 budget and action plan, along with a summary of public comments and explanation of how these comments are reflected in the revised document. After making any final changes, the board votes on the budget and, if approved, submits it to the Oregon Public Utility Commission by December 31, 2013.

View the current year budget and action plan.

Look for links to the 2014-2015 budget and action plan in the November issue of Synergy and on the Synergy blog.