PCEF award will bring roughly $25.5 million to PPS for energy and green‑yard projects
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Summary
Portland Public Schools announced it will receive about $25.5 million of a roughly $70 million Portland Clean Energy Fund award to pay for energy‑efficiency upgrades and green schoolyard improvements across district schools, staff said April 14.
Portland Public Schools staff announced on April 14 that the district will receive an estimated $25.5 million as part of a competitive Portland Clean Energy Fund grant, a package of roughly $70 million awarded to a coalition of school districts coordinated by the Multnomah Education Service District (MESD).
Chief of staff Deborah Kafoury and senior director Joanna Evanston told the board the funds are designated for energy‑efficiency upgrades and green schoolyard projects across Portland schools. Kafoury said the total award for the regional collaboration is about $70 million and that PPS’s share is about $25.5 million.
"The total award is $70,000,000 approximately with PPS's share totaling approximately $25,500,000," Kafoury said. Staff said the award will be spent over the grant period and is subject to proposal approval, strict reporting and alignment with the fund's climate investment plan.
The grant is intended to support student‑led climate initiatives as well as physical improvements that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen resilience at school sites. Staff said PPS previously received a first tranche of PCEF funding in 2020 and that project updates will be given to the Facilities and Infrastructure Oversight committee.
The board was invited to a student showcase at OMSI on April 23 where student‑led PCEF projects will be on display. Staff emphasized the need to submit proposals and match projects to the fund's guidelines before work can begin.
What’s next: Staff will finalize project proposals, coordinate funding approval through MESD (the fiscal agent), and return to the board with project timelines and reporting milestones.
