Oregon Passes 100% Clean Energy Legislation
Posted on June 26, 2021 by Bob Jenks
Tags, Energy
CUB applauds the passage of HB 2021, which commits Oregon to eliminate 100 percent of its climate pollution associated with electricity by 2040. The bill passed through the Senate on June 26 and now heads to Governor Brown’s desk for her signature. It requires the state’s largest electric utilities to eliminate 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and 100 percent by 2040. It contains provisions to ensure bills are affordable, the grid is reliable, and the transition brings community benefits.
HB 2021 was backed by the largest and most diverse 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, key legislators, and CUB. HB 2021 offers Oregon a clear and achievable roadmap for cleaning up its electric sector, and doing so by 2040. This is the earliest that any state has committed to 100 percent clean electricity.
The bill is the latest in a series of policies that CUB has supported which are eliminating carbon pollution from the electric sector and replacing it with clean energy. Notable examples include the closing of the Boardman coal plant, the implementation of the original Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), and SB 1547, the Coal-to-Clean bill that phases out service from out-of-state coal plants.
Like these other bills, HB 2021 is designed to ensure a reliable and affordable electric system. CUB’s analysis shows that customers of PGE, Oregon largest utility, have seen their bills decline since the original RPS was introduced in 2008. While opponents always argue that clean energy bills will raise rates, Oregon has shown that a clean electric system is possible without increasing customers’ bills.
What separates HB 2021 from previous clean energy legislation is the broad support from community organizations. These groups encouraged the coalition to address a broad set of community concerns. Because of their efforts, HB 2021 contains unprecedented provisions requiring labor standards, funding for community energy projects, support for community climate action plans, and a ban on new gas-fired power plants.
As demonstrated by last year’s wildfires, and this year’s early summer heat wave, the effects of climate change are already harming Oregon communities. Transitioning to clean energy is necessary and urgent. HB 2021’s path to a 100 percent emissions-free electric grid provides the foundation for Oregon to build a clean economy.
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08/18/21 | 1 Comment | Oregon Passes 100% Clean Energy Legislation