Portland Seeks Climate Funds for Blazers Arena

Mayor's office eyes city's climate fund to support arena upgrades.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 12:07am by Ben Kaplan

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, fragmented painting in shades of green, blue, and gray depicting the outline of a large sports arena, conceptually representing the tension over using climate funds for a professional sports venue.The debate over using Portland's climate action fund to finance upgrades to the Moda Center arena exposes the complexities of balancing environmental priorities and community needs.Portland Today

Top officials in Portland, Oregon are considering using the city's unique climate action fund to help finance upgrades to the Moda Center, home of the Portland Trail Blazers NBA team. The mayor's office is exploring ways to tap into this dedicated climate fund to pay for sustainability improvements at the aging arena.

Why it matters

Portland's climate action fund was established to finance local projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmental sustainability. Using these dedicated funds for a professional sports arena, rather than community-focused green initiatives, has raised concerns about the appropriate use of this money.

The details

The Moda Center, home of the Portland Trail Blazers, is in need of significant renovations to improve energy efficiency and meet the city's climate goals. Mayor Keith's administration is exploring ways to leverage Portland's climate action fund, which collects fees from the city's largest polluters, to help pay for these arena upgrades.

  • The Moda Center opened in 1995 and is nearing 30 years old.
  • Portland's climate action fund was established in 2018 to finance local sustainability projects.

The players

Portland

The city of Portland, Oregon, which is considering using its climate action fund to help finance upgrades to the Moda Center.

Mayor Keith

The mayor of Portland, whose administration is exploring ways to tap into the city's climate fund to pay for improvements to the Blazers' home arena.

Moda Center

The home arena of the Portland Trail Blazers NBA team, which is in need of renovations to improve energy efficiency and meet the city's climate goals.

Portland Trail Blazers

The professional basketball team that plays its home games at the Moda Center in Portland.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have to be very careful about how we use these climate funds. They were meant to support community-driven sustainability projects, not prop up a private sports franchise.”

— Olivia Chen, City Council Member

“The Moda Center is a key part of our city's infrastructure, and upgrading its environmental performance should be a priority. We'll explore all options to finance these necessary improvements.”

— Mayor Keith

What’s next

The mayor's office plans to hold public hearings in the coming months to gather feedback on using climate funds for the Moda Center upgrades.

The takeaway

This proposal highlights the ongoing tension between using dedicated climate funds for their intended purpose of community-driven sustainability initiatives versus directing them toward large-scale infrastructure projects, even if those projects have environmental benefits.