Renewable Energy 101
Posted on January 22, 2014 by Heather Kendall
Tags, Climate and Conservation, Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Legislative & Political
The state of Oregon has a long and impressive tradition of cultivating renewable resources, but many Oregon residents are unaware of this storied history. Let’s look at recent policies that have been implemented in Oregon to promote the increased use of renewable energy resources and protect ratepayers at the same time. These policies have been implemented to meet our region’s growing energy needs, to rein in the damaging climate changing effects of greenhouse gas emissions, and keeping rates affordable in the long-term. Building renewable resources also provides the energy generation base we need to reduce the use of and reliance on coal plants.
One of the significant steps taken in recent years was the implementation of Oregon’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES). The RES was enacted through Senate Bill 838 in 2007. It requires Oregon utilities to meet 25% of their energy needs from renewable resources by 2025. Smaller utilities are permitted to meet a lesser standard but every utility in the state is required to incorporate at least a minimum level of renewables in their energy mix. The policy was designed to influence how Oregon will meet future energy needs as our load grows over time.
The three major utilities required to meet the full 25% standard are Portland General Electric (PGE), PacifiCorp, and the Eugene Water and Electric Board. In 2011 their portfolios had to consist of 5% renewable resources and all the utilities were in compliance by that time. The next target is set for 2015, according to which utilities must source 15% of their energy mix from renewables. By 2020, 20% must be renewable, and 25% by 2025. Smaller electric utilities in the state, depending on size, have standards of 5-10% by 2025.
The RES has to be met with power from generating facilities that began operation on or after January 1, 1995. Why that date? Because we wanted to make sure that some early investments in renewable energy got credit but we didn’t want to go so far back that there was no room for new renewable energy to meet future needs. Eligible resources include biomass, geothermal, hydropower, ocean thermal, solar, tidal, wave, wind, and hydrogen. In 2010, the Legislature amended the Renewable Energy Standard through House Bill 3649 and House Bill 3674. These new laws expanded eligibility for certain biomass and hydropower facilities that began to operate before 1995.
But renewable energy isn’t just a priority for electric utilities. Residential ratepayers – consumers who pay an electric or gas bill at their place of residence—also have opportunities to bring renewable energy to their homes. One of the key points of entry for consumers is solar electric (or photovoltaic/PV) and solar thermal energy. The best thing about a solar energy system is what it doesn’t create. When your solar electric system generates electricity or captures thermal energy, you are supplanting the use of power that might otherwise be generated by burning fossil fuels—generation that creates carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
A helpful resource to become part of Oregon’s clean energy future is found at Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO). ETO is a nonprofit organization created in 2002 that is working to help Oregon utility customers invest in and benefit from energy efficiency as well as renewable energy. The services and incentives provided by ETO are designed to save energy and control energy costs in Oregon homes. Incentives and tax credits can cover up to 80% of the cost. ETO provides resources on their website for those interested in a solar installation on their homes and in their community.
Energy Trust of Oregon offers cash incentives for solar electric installations for Portland General Electric and Pacific Power customers, and cash incentives for solar water heating installations for Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, and Cascade Natural Gas customers.
Energy Trust began operation in March 2002, tasked by the Oregon Public Utility Commission to invest in cost-effective energy efficiency and to help pay for the high costs of renewable energy for industrial, business, and residential consumers. Customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural Gas, and Cascade Natural Gas pay a percentage of their utility bills to support a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy services and programs. There’s lots of coverage about renewable energy in the news and we’ll have additional articles soon to help you sort out all of the information. If you have questions, email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we’ll answer them in future blog posts!
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04/05/17 | 0 Comments | Renewable Energy 101