Cooling Portland is funded by the city’s Portland Clean Energy Benefits Fund (PCEF). Learn more about PCEF’s goals for the program here. 

PCEF is a municipal grant program that was established by a citizen ballot measure (the Portland Clean Energy Initiative) that passed in November 2018 with 65% support from Portland voters. PCEF distributes millions of dollars every year in funding for renewable energy, energy efficiency, job training, green infrastructure, climate mitigation and future innovation for all Portlanders, prioritizing low-income residents and people of color. Learn more about PCEF here. 

If you or a loved one are experiencing a heat emergency, we urge you to seek a public cooling space or call 9-1-1. For more information about how to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and how to find a cooling shelter or transportation during a heat emergency, visit https://www.publicalerts.org/heat

Starting in 2024, in partnership with the City of Portland, we now have a centralized intake form available for anyone interested in applying to receive a cooling unit. This form can be found at
https://www.portland.gov/bps/cleanenergy/about-cooling-portland/apply-cooling-unit. Anyone who would prefer to apply by phone can also contact PDX 311 by dialing 3-1-1 in the Portland Metro area or 503-823-4000 from anywhere.

Community members are also encouraged to work directly with a Community Distribution Partner if they would prefer. Current Community Distribution Partners are listed below. Our Community Distribution Partners are community nonprofits and housing providers that serve priority populations and households in Portland. They are selecting recipients based on eligibility and need. The equipment will be distributed to low-income Portlanders, prioritizing those who are elderly, living alone, or who have medical conditions. 

The goal for 2024, as outlined by PCEF, is to install 4,000 units, bringing the cumulative number of units installed in the program’s first two years to 11,000. A total of 15,000 units will be installed over the entire five-year length of the program.

Community Distribution Partners will work to identify the most vulnerable members of their community and notify them directly if they will be receiving a unit. As the program progresses, PCEF staff and Cooling Portland partners will work on ways to include more eligible Portlanders.

If you are having problems with your unit, look to see if there is a Troubleshooting card attached to the unit. This will provides a list of common issues and their solutions. You can also try the tips noted here. If you are still unable to resolve the issue,  look for a sticker in the upper right-hand corner of your unit. This will tell you the name and contact number for the Community Distribution Partner that installed the unit, along with the date of installation so you can contact them directly for help. If you received your unit through your housing provider, you can contact your property management for assistance.

The Cooling Portland team has made every effort to provide units that are efficient and affordable to operate. However, using a cooling unit is still likely to increase your electric bill. If you need assistance with this increased cost, you may be eligible for discount programs through your electric utility.

For PGE Customers:
Portland General Electric offers an income-qualified bill discount of up to 25% off your monthly electric bill along with other energy assistance programs. Visit portlandgeneral.com/help or call 503-228-6322 to apply. 

For Pacific Power Customers:
Pacific Power offers an income-qualified bill discount of up to 40% off your monthly electric bill, along with other energy assistance programs for Oregon customers. Visit pacificpower.net or call 1-888-221-7070 for more information.

PDX 311 is the City of Portland’s centralized customer service call-center. Starting in 2024, PDX 311 can assist with the intake of information from callers who are interested in applying to receive a cooling unit. PDX 311 Customer Service Representatives are happy to provide information about the Cooling Portland program and work with callers to fill out the Apply for a Cooling Unit form on portland.gov.

PDX 311 passes along application data to Earth Advantage, but does not make decisions about eligibility or coordinate installations with community members.