Oregon Takes Next Step Toward 100% Clean Electricity

Posted on November 8, 2022 by Jennifer Hill-Hart
Tags, Energy

Light bulb with an illustration of a tree inside, wind mills in the background

In 2021, Oregon passed the 100% Clean Electricity bill. Pacific Power and Portland General Electric are now committed to running on 100% emission-free electricity by 2040. Oregon’s two largest electric utilities must now develop Clean Energy Plans. These plans require utilities to show how they will provide electricity without burning fossil fuels.

CUB advocated for this law last year. Now, we are working with state regulators, utilities, and other advocates to put 100% Clean Electricity into practice.

100% Clean Electricity Becomes a Reality with Community Input
Regulators are nearing the end of their investigation into how utilities will comply with the clean energy law. CUB, utilities, climate and environmental justice advocates, community organizations, and renewable energy businesses have provided feedback throughout the investigation.

CUB has advocated for clear expectations for the plans. Our comments centered on meaningful community engagement and affordable solutions. Portland General Electric and Pacific Power are required to file a Clean Energy Plan within six months of filing their 20-year resource plans (Integrated Resource Plans). Both are expected to file these in 2023.

CUB believes a Clean Energy Plan should show how the utility meaningfully engaged with the communities it serves. This includes local governments, tribal nations, community health organizations, emergency responders (particularly fire response), and community advocates.

Creating Clear Expectations for Clean Energy Plans
The timeline to 100% clean electricity is aggressive. Utilities need to get this right, out of the gate. A clear understanding of expectations is key to successful Clean Energy Plans.

CUB has advocated that the regulators closely review utilities’ plans as they are developed. We have also pushed for checks and balances in the early stages.

CUB and other groups have advocated that utilities need to provide annual updates on compliance. This requirement is currently in the draft rules from regulators at the Public Utility Commission.

Planning for Resiliency: Keeping the Lights On With Clean Energy
State regulators worked with the U.S. Department of Energy, which researched how utilities can plan for resiliency. Resiliency is key for keeping the lights on during emergency events. The report finds that utilities’ plans need to include risk assessments that consider historical outage events and climate change. It also emphasized the need for community engagement in planning and implementation.

CUB, along with other advocates, provided comments in support of these findings. CUB stated utilities should prioritize widely accepted resiliency projects. This includes increased energy efficiency and investments at the distribution level, where most outages occur.

Preventing, rather than responding to, outage risks may be the most cost-effective investment. Projects should be prioritized in areas with historical underinvestment and other otherwise vulnerable communities.

Benefitting Communities in the Clean Energy Transition
The 100% Clean Electricity law arose from a listening tour held by the Oregon Just Transition Alliance. This resulted in ideas to clean up Oregon’s energy grid, create jobs, and more. The goal is to ensure that people disproportionately impacted by climate change are not left behind.

We are all impacted by global warming, but marginalized and vulnerable groups disproportionately suffer from climate change’s impact. These groups are hit first and worst by extreme weather events, drought, and irreversible ecosystem loss. Any plan to cut emissions must consider current and future policy impacts on frontline Oregonians.

Oregon’s clean energy law requires utilities to work with communities as they develop and implement their plans. This includes considering community renewable energy projects in planning decisions.

CUB has advocated for utilities to include opportunities for community-based strategies to reduce emissions. We also recognize that not all communities have the same energy opportunities. Accordingly, CUB believes a Clean Energy Plan should consider community-based storage and energy efficiency opportunities, as well as impacts on electrical demand. These plans should also consider local policies like community green tariffs, climate plans, and gas ban policies.

Next Steps
These draft rules are available for informal review and comment. Public Utility Commission Staff will hold a public meeting opening the formal rulemaking on December 13. This will set a timeline for public comment on the rules.

Commission Staff will present key findings from the Department of Energy report and comments received on December 15. Although this presentation will be technical, it is still open to the public. You may attend and ask questions or comment.

The public also can participate in the rulemaking process and provide comments. As we get closer to this opportunity, CUB will keep you informed on the issues and how to participate in this critical and exciting decision-making process.

We Need Climate Action Now
At the end of last month, the United Nations released its Emissions Gap Report in anticipation of the United Nations’ COP 27 Climate Change Conference that began recently in Egypt. The Report states that a 45% reduction in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is necessary to avoid “global catastrophe.” Without worldwide action, global temperatures are predicted to rise to 2.8°C by 2100 – roughly 5°F.

These numbers are beyond alarming. It is hard not to feel let down, or even angry, at the lack of collaborative global action. CUB will continue to push for bold action on climate change here in Oregon. Sign up for the CUB newsletter for the latest information on our work on clean and affordable utilities.