Discounts, Assistance & Voluntary Environmental Programs for Multnomah County Residents
Note: Most programs that are income-based are available to households at or below 60% of the State Median Income (SMI). Current limits (effective Oct. 1, 2025) are approximately $38,385/year for 1 person and $73,817/year for a family of four. When applying, ask to be screened for ALL available programs at the same time.
Part 1: Income-Based Utility Discount Programs
Electric — Portland General Electric (PGE)
Provides an ongoing monthly Income-Qualified Bill Discount that can be combined with other assistance programs. Discount level varies based on income.
– Apply online: portlandgeneral.com/billdiscount
– Phone: 503-228-6322
Electric — Pacific Power
Low-Income Discount offers eligible customers a 20% or 40% monthly bill discount based on income and household size.
– Apply online: pacificpower.net/LID
– Phone: 888-221-7070
Natural Gas — NW Natural
Income-qualifying customers can receive a 15–40% discount on their monthly gas bills. NW Natural also offers a debt forgiveness program to help customers with recurring bill debt (rolling out 2025).
– Apply online: nwnatural.com/billdiscount
– Phone: 800-422-4012
Water, Sewer & Stormwater — Portland Water Bureau / Bureau of Environmental Services
A single application covers water, sewer, AND stormwater charges together. Two tiers of discounts for income-qualified single-family residential customers: Tier 1 (at or below 60% MFI): 50% discount; Tier 2 (at or below 30% MFI): 80% discount. Also available:
- RAMP: Regulated Affordable Multifamily Assistance Program — discounts for multi-family dwellings
- Smart Discount Program: Uses data to automatically identify eligible customers; discounts of 5–80%, no application needed for auto-identified customers
- Crisis Vouchers: Up to $500 for customers who have experienced job loss, medical emergency, domestic violence, or another qualifying hardship
Applications are valid for two years; renewal required.
– Apply online: portland.gov/water → “Financial Assistance”
– Email: PWBCustomerService@portlandoregon.gov
– Phone: 503-823-7770
Part 2: Additional Assistance Programs
Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP)
State program providing electric bill payment assistance for PGE and Pacific Power customers, administered locally through Community Action Agencies (CAAs). Primary local CAA in Multnomah County: Impact NW.
– Find local agency: oregonenergyfund.org or call 211
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
Federally funded program that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, administered locally through Impact NW and other community partners.
– Find assistance: 211info.org or call 211
Our Just Future (formerly Human Solutions)
Provides vital utility assistance for very-low-income residents in Portland and East Multnomah County. Also assists with Water Discount Program enrollment.
– Utility assistance: (503) 405-7877
– Water Discount Program: (503) 548-0217
– Find current resources: 211info.org
Weatherization & Home Energy Upgrade Programs
Multnomah County Weatherization Program: Free weatherization services for income-qualifying residents
– More info: multco.us
City of Portland Energy Friendly Homes Program: Funded by the Portland Clean Energy Fund
– More info: energyfriendlyhomes.com
Community Energy Project: Home upgrades and repairs for income-qualifying Portland residents; also offers weatherization workshops
– More info: communityenergyproject.org
Part 3: Voluntary Environmental Programs
These programs are open to any resident, regardless of income — these programs let you opt in to support renewable energy or manage stormwater on your property.
Clean River Rewards — Bureau of Environmental Services (BES)
Double benefit: This program is both a bill discount AND an environmental action. Any property owner can qualify — no income requirement. Offers a discount of up to 35% on the stormwater portion of your City of Portland bill when you safely manage stormwater on your property — keeping runoff out of the city’s sewer and stormwater pipes. Qualifying practices include rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavement, and other features that allow rain to soak into the ground on-site. Discount is partial or full depending on how much stormwater is managed on-site. Properties in Portland’s Drainage Districts became newly eligible as of July 1, 2024.
– Apply online: portland.gov/bes/grants-incentives/clean-river-rewards
– Questions: Bureau of Environmental Services, 503-823-7740
Oregon Community Solar Program (PGE & Pacific Power customers)
Subscribe to a local solar project and receive credits on your utility bill for your share of the energy generated — no panels, no property ownership required. Available to renters and homeowners alike. Standard subscribers can save 5–10% off annual electricity costs. Low- and moderate-income subscribers receive a 20–40% discount on their subscription.
– Find projects: oregoncsp.org
PGE Green Future Programs (PGE customers)
Opt in to support renewable energy at various levels, up to 100% of your usage. Three main options:
- Green Future Choice: Support 100% renewable energy for approximately $5/month more on average
- Green Future Block: Support renewable energy in blocks of $1.88 each — you choose your level
- Habitat Support add-on: Add to any Green Future option to support The Freshwater Trust’s local fish habitat restoration work
PGE’s Green Future Renewable Development Fund supports small-scale local renewable projects (solar, micro-hydropower, battery storage) and is made possible by Green Future participants.
– Enroll: portlandgeneral.com/energy-choices/renewable-power
Pacific Power Blue Sky (Pacific Power customers)
Voluntary renewable energy program — purchase renewable energy blocks to support wind, solar, and other renewables. Green-e Energy certified since 2008.
– Learn more: pacificpower.net/bluesky
– Phone: 888-221-7070
NW Natural Smart Energy — Carbon Offsets (NW Natural customers)
Voluntary carbon offset program. NW Natural purchases verified carbon offsets and retires them on behalf of enrolled customers, helping reduce the climate impact of natural gas use.
– Learn more: nwnatural.com/smartenergy
– Phone: 800-422-4012
Tip: When applying for any income-based program, ask to be screened for all available programs — LIHEAP, OEAP, Weatherization, and Rate Discounts — at the same time. Call 211 or visit 211info.org to find current local resources by zip code.
Prepared by the Centennial Community Association (CCA) with Claude AI in June 2026.