Broad Coalition Forms Around 100% Clean Electricity Legislation

After weeks of intense negotiation that built on months of policy assessments, CUB and a broad group of stakeholders developed HB 2021. If passed by the Oregon Legislature, the bill would require our state’s largest electric utilities to serve customers with 100% clean electricity by 2040. The proposed bill is backed by the largest coalition to have ever supported clean energy legislation in Oregon. This coalition includes environmental justice advocates, climate activists, utilities, local governments, labor groups, independent power producers, and key legislators.

HB 2021’s major elements are:

• Clean Electricity Targets. The legislation would require Oregon’s largest utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100 percent below baseline levels by 2040. Interim goals are 80 percent emissions reduction by 2030 and 90 percent reduction by 2035. This emissions reduction course builds on previously mandated greenhouse gas emissions reporting requirements.
• Local Government Climate Action Plans. Many local governments in Oregon have passed their own climate action plans. HB 2021 would set up a process for local governments to work with their major electric utility to achieve their plan’s electric sector goals.
• New Gas Generation Siting Ban. HB 2021 would prohibit the Oregon Energy Facilities Siting Council from allowing new or expanded natural gas power plants.
• Community Benefits Planning. Major electric utilities will be required to establish a Community Benefits and Impacts Advisory Group, with input from diverse stakeholders within the utility service territory. These groups would examine whether HB 2021’s clean electricity transition is providing living wage jobs, workforce equity, and community benefits while minimizing burdens on environmental justice communities.
• Labor Standards. Large- and-medium-sized electric generation projects would be required to ensure fair wages and benefits, develop apprenticeship programs, and employ a diverse workforce.
• Cost and Reliability Protections. HB 2021 includes consumer protections to limit customer costs and keep service reliable. The bill would allow the utilities temporary exemptions from emission reduction targets if compliance with the policy violates a cost cap, or undermines the reliability of the electric grid.

CUB strongly supports this bill. It builds on Oregon’s legacy as an energy policy leader. Oregon was the first state to develop an agreement to close a coal plant, and was the first state to commit to phasing out power generated by coal. Oregon also leads in energy efficiency and renewable development. With HB 2021, Oregon continues this leadership by moving toward an emissions-free electric grid on a reasonable but science-based timeline, in a way that will protect customers.

After months of work, CUB is proud of this 100 percent clean electricity policy. But we are equally proud of its development and negotiating process. HB 2021 began as an environmental justice led effort to develop clean energy legislation. Leaders representing environmental justice communities worked with a diverse group of stakeholders to develop a bill that has earned support from a broad coalition. HB 2021 is an effective proposal because more groups were represented in this process than CUB has ever seen in energy policy negotiations.

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