Portland to transform vacant landfill into energy-generating sanctuary

Portland is transforming a vacant landfill into an energy-generating wildlife sanctuary. The lot on Northeast 82nd avenue will house community solar panels, which aim to “generate enough energy to lower the bills of 140 low-income East Portland households that are customers of Pacific Power or Portland General Electric,” Monica Samayoa writes for Oregon Public Broadcasting. 

“At a time when the federal government has rescinded billions of dollars toward climate action and government shutdowns have impacted funding to help low-income families pay for their energy bills, this project is using money from Portland’s climate action fund to keep renewable energy investments flowing,” Oregon Public Broadcasting reports.

The project will boast hundreds of solar panels, and create jobs in Portland’s renewable energy industry. The site will also host a wildlife hospital.