As cooler weather sets in, many Oregonians are bracing for higher energy bills. For families on limited incomes, those bills can become an overwhelming burden. 

That’s where Portland-based Community Energy Project (CEP) steps in — offering free or low-cost upgrades that make homes more efficient, comfortable, and safe.

The Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity (R2E2) initiative is announcing new partnerships with four communities to bring transformative energy efficiency upgrades to affordable housing in historically underserved communities.

The Community Energy Project gifted Dorry and Tom - who hadn't had heat or air conditioning for years - with a free electric air system.

State lawmakers and environmental groups are looking to increase energy efficiency, reduce power costs and help people adapt to extreme weather by backing a slew of bills that are advancing in the Legislature.

State lawmakers are working on legislation that would give Oregon regulators broader discretion in setting power rates, with the aim of making energy bills more affordable, reducing the number of bill increases and making utility costs more transparent for customers.

The Oregon Healthy Homes Program (HHGP), established by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), provides grants to eligible organizations for repairing and rehabilitating homes for low-income households.