Advancing Policies to Tackle Climate Change
OEC is working with state and local governments to ensure that Oregon does its part in the fight against global warming.
For the 2012 short legislative session, we will focus on ensuring Oregon's energy and climate programs remain strong by defending renewable energy in Oregon.
Why Progress is Critical
In 2010, Oregon’s electric power industry emitted nearly 10 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. These emissions came from the use of fossil fuels, such as coal, to produce electricity. Moving towards clean, renewable energy resources will reduce Oregon’s GHG emissions to help fight global warming, improve our air quality, lower our dependency on imported fossil fuels, and create local economic develop in Oregon.
Clean Energy Sources
In 2007, the Oregon legislature passed Oregon’s beneficial Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The RPS requires utilities to gradually include renewable energy resources within their overall energy mix until they reach 25% by 2025. Sources that are considered renewable include wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, wave energy and certain types of hydroelectric power. 33 other states, including D.C., have an RPS. Maine has the most visionary program, which calls for 40% renewable energy by 2017.
Economic Benefits
The RPS has significantly improved Oregon’s economy. The RPS and other renewable energy programs have attracted over $5.4 billion in investments to Oregon, creating vital jobs, from those in construction to farmers and ranchers locating wind turbines on their lands. Renewable energy projects have also added over $55 million to county tax revenues which directly support public services and the construction of new courthouses, libraries and schools.
Advantages of a Renewable Portfolio Standard
- Helps stabilize energy prices by using alternative renewable energy
- Creates a market for renewable energy which will create more jobs throughout Oregon
- Reduces global warming and other air pollution associated with the burning of fossil fuels
- Is flexible since utilities will have a range of compliance options to choose from
Maintaining Support
Oregon’s RPS is currently the main tool for supporting renewable energy. We must preserve—and in the future expand—Oregon’s Renewable Portfolio Standard. There are attempts to weaken the standard, so we need to continue to support this critical policy. Oregon needs to commit to clean, renewable energy to continue to bring essential environmental, energy, and economic benefits to our state.
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Global warming has emerged as one of the foremost concerns of our time, and Oregon, like other states in the U.S., has a key role to play in demonstrating that solutions are at hand. State action and local government action to slow global warming will not only reduce Oregon’s contribution to global warming, but also help compel our federal government into taking decisive action. Click here to learn more about Oregon's progress in slowing global warming.
We invite you to help us help Oregon meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 75% below 1990 levels by 2050. Sign up for OEC Action Alerts. Learn more about what you can do to reduce your individual carbon footprint. And if you represent an organization or business or are an elected official, join our Cool Oregon coalition.
