PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland is getting millions of dollars from the federal government to make homes more efficient.
The city's pilot program lets property owners sign up for an energy audit.
Mayor Sam Adams started this work here at city hall months ago. The Obama administration rewarded Portland's efforts by adding $20 million stimulus to the mix.
Contractors will draw up a proposal, then the group decides what work is needed to make a house more insulated and more efficient.
DETAILS: Clean energy homes
Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday announced that Portland may expand that program from 500 homes to as many as possible.
The mayor said he was thrilled.
"Try to hit every household in the city with, you know, clean energy retrofits and in the process get Portlanders back to work in the construction industry," Adams said.
The Bojan family in North Portland just went through this program and is now using half the energy they did this time last year.
Their low-interest construction loan payments were folded into their utility bill, so it's basically a wash.
The city will now start trying to persuade homeowners across the city to participate.
