Oregon Public Broadcasting

Senator Jeff Merkley was in Portland Monday promoting a new weatherization initiative. Ryan Knutson reports.

Clean Energy Works Portland will help about 500 people get low interest loans to pay for home weatherization projects, such as insulation and energy efficient windows.

The loan is then repaid over 20 years out of savings from lower utility bills. The project is being funded by about $1 million in federal stimulus money.

Merkley is using Portland’s program as a template for a similar national program by sponsoring the Clean Energy for Homes and Buildings Act.

Portland’s version will create about 55 jobs by this summer, but Merkley says a national one would create thousands more.

Jeff Merkley: “This program is about saving energy, saving money, creating jobs, and in the process it’s good for our environment, it’s good for our economy.”

Merkley’s bill has been sitting in a Senate Committee since August.