The proposal to create a Eugene Clean Energy Fund appeared to be ahead as initial returns rolled in on election night.

Around 58% of tallied votes were in favor of the ballot initiative, as of 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Supporters declared victory at a watch party shortly after the first results were released.

“I could feel the enthusiasm and the support behind this campaign throughout every stage, but to have that confirmed with this decisive victory is just wonderful,” said co-chief petitioner Aya Cockram. “I think it just really shows that our community is ready for change and ready to build something better.”

Measure 20-388 would require some large retailers and banks to pay a new annual licensing fee, equal to 2% of their gross profits in the city. The resulting revenue would be spent on clean energy projects.

A coalition of environmental groups have led the campaign effort, inspired by a similar policy that Portland voters passed in 2018. They argue that billion-dollar companies should pay more to help make Eugene more climate resilient.

“This is a was a well-oiled machine,” co-chief petitioner Joel Iboa told KLCC on Tuesday evening. “This is a conversation that we’ve been having for a few years, with state infrastructure, regional infrastructure, local infrastructure, with a very well-balanced steering committee that had the ability both for good political acumen and good fundraising.”

The campaign raised more than $730,000. In the final weeks before the election, Eugene households received online advertisements and a flood of campaign mailers.

Opponents of the measure, led by the Stop the Hidden Tax on Eugene campaign, argued that the fee would be passed down to customers and the resulting revenue could be misused. But they were unable to match the supporters in funding, with just $155,000 in reported fundraising as of Monday.

“Our concerns about the measure’s impact on affordability, its potential costs to local families and businesses, and the accountability of the fund remain unchanged,” wrote the Stop the Hidden Tax campaign in a statement Tuesday night.

“We hope city leaders will take those concerns seriously as they move towards implementation,” the statement continued.

If the measure passes, the fee requirement would take effect in 2029.

Nathan Wilk is a reporter with KLCC.

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/11/03/eugene-clean-energy-fund-ahead-as-first-results-roll-in/