Launched: Stormwater Discount Program - Clean River Rewards

After nearly eight years of effort, Portland launched Clean River Rewards and began granting stormwater discounts to ratepayers who control stormwater runoff on their property. The discounts are worth as much as 35% of stormwater management charges, and ratepayers may earn an additional credit for as much as 12 months worth of discounts. Any Portland stormwater ratepayer may register and qualify for Clean River Rewards. City Council committed to offering stormwater discounts through June 30, 2017.

Work on the program began in 1998 when Commissioner Sten met with advocates for stormwater rate reform. The ratepayers, mostly from East Portland were led by State Representative Jeff Merkley and Dr. Howard Horner, the former superintendent of David Douglas School District. Working tirelessly, Rep. Merkley and Dr. Horner convinced the City Council of the need for sweeping utility rate reform in 2000. The centerpiece of their efforts was a program of stormwater discounts.

City Council was forced to delay the start of the discount program in December 2000 due to ongoing problems with a newly-installed utility billing system. In 2002, City Council decided to replace the billing system entirely. The decision delayed the start of the discount program for another four years. Ratepayers and rate reform advocates were understandably upset by the delay and lobbied City Council to guarantee some form of retroactive benefit. Council considered a number of options and final adopted a maximum 12-month retroactive credit to be applied to qualified accounts once the discount program was implemented.

In July 2005, Sam began a detailed review of the proposed discount program. He spoke with rate reform advocates and community and business representatives. He conducted three community forums, and in the fall of 2005 recommended a comprehensive set of program enhancements. His recommendations made the program easier to use and more accessible to homeowners. He increased the program's public education, technical assistance and marketing efforts, and added new initiatives to increase ratepayer access to financial assistance programs. His refinements were adopted by Council in November 2005.

In April 2006, the City implemented a new utility billing system. The news was received with much relief for those who worked so hard to implement stormwater discounts. The successful launch of the new billing system removed the last obstacle for Clean River Rewards. Commissioner Adams guided the efforts of the Bureau of Environmental Services, Revenue Bureau, Bureau of Development Services and Bureau of Technology Services to implement the discount program within six months of the start of the new billing system.

Clean River Rewards was launched on Halloween, October 31, 2006. The program is capable of processing discount registrations via the mail, Internet and over the telephone. More than 1200 ratepayers signed up for stormwater discounts during the first month of operations. The Bureau of Environmental Services is mailing program information directly to ratepayers on a daily basis, and more aggressive market efforts will get underway in the new year. Our goal is to attract the highest possible participation in the program. Doing so will fulfill a very old promise to ratepayers, provide meaningful rate relief, and provided incentives to protect our rivers and streams.

For more information, click here or 503-823-1371.

Related Documents

• 17.36.012 Clean River Incentive and Discount Program
• Clean River Rewards Home Page

Community Partners

• Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope (C.A.S.H)

Media Mentions

• Builder Briefs: Model home open at new Trinity Estates in Molalla
• Discounts for Disconnecting
• Registration date pushed back for city's water rebate program

• Clean River Rewards
• Big Houses Frustrate Neighbors
• Discounts for Disconnecting
• Log On Now To Get Your Clean River Reward
• How "Suite 2010" it will Be

Milestones

• Work on the Stormwater Discount program began in 1998 when Commissioner Sten met with advocates for stormwater rate reform.
• In November, 2005, Commissioner Adams refinements to the Stormwater Discount program were adopted by City Council. These refinements resulted in an increase in the program's public education, technical assistance and marketing efforts and added new initiatives to increase ratepayer access to financial assistance programs.
• The Clean River Rewards program was officially launched on Halloween, October 31, 2006
• More than 1200 ratepayers signed up for stormwater discounts during the first month of operations.

   

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