The Eugene City Council approved a Residential Energy Performance Disclosure Requirement ordinance in a 6-1 vote on October 28th, making Eugene the fifth Oregon jurisdiction to implement such a policy. Portland, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, and Bend previously adopted similar Home Energy Score ordinances. The passage of this requirement is part of a broader movement among Oregon cities to support residents in navigating home retrofits and energy efficiency upgrades as momentum builds for building electrification initiatives.
Under the ordinance, home energy score assessments must be conducted and disclosed publicly when residential properties are listed for sale. These evaluations examine the average energy consumption of homes by assessing appliances, heating systems, windows, doors, insulation, and associated climate emissions. Properties receive scores on a scale from one to ten, with reports providing recommendations for improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions. The documents also outline available incentives and subsidies at local, state, and federal levels to support efficiency improvements.
The adoption marks a significant milestone for Oregon, with the new policy bringing the total population covered by Home Energy Score disclosure requirements to more than one million residents, representing approximately 24.4 percent of the state’s population. The move comes several years after the Ninth Circuit Court invalidated Berkeley’s residential building electrification ordinance in April 2023, which had prompted Eugene to pursue alternative approaches to reducing building emissions. Environmental advocates noted that the policy aligns with Eugene’s Climate Recovery Ordinance goals to achieve a 50 percent reduction in emissions by 2030.
Supporters highlighted that local utilities already offer substantial incentive programs for home electrification and energy efficiency, including zero interest loans and cash subsidies for weatherization and heat pump installation. However, they noted these programs remain underutilized due to limited awareness among homeowners. The new requirement is expected to improve outreach by ensuring all home buyers receive information about available support programs when making purchasing decisions.
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