The alliance is funded by utilities serving Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. In its marketing, the alliance often emphasizes non-energy benefits that are of strong interest to target audiences. Among the alliance's projects are outreach to local governments through local government associations, and a wastewater treatment technology demonstration. The Oregon Office of Energy works to ensure that the state's energy portfolio is made up of a mix of efficiency, renewables, and conventional energy sources that minimize both economic and environmental costs. The office offers tax credits and loans for efficiency and renewables.
Tax credits are available for solid waste recycling projects.
The office is developing rules to implement SB 1149, a law enacted last year which opens Oregon's retail electricity markets to limited competition and provides for funding of energy efficiency, renewables, and weatherization of low-income housing. Additional details on this topic are available in the full meeting report. Insurance companies have a strong interest in their customers' risk management practices. Commercial liability policies today are sold with an absolute pollution exclusion, although buyers typically may not be aware of the exclusion. Special policies can be purchased to cover pollution-related liabilities.