Oregon governor Kate Brown has signed into law the popular
Oregon Clean Electricity and Coal Transition Plan. This landmark
piece of legislation, among other things, (i) completely phases out
the supply of electricity from coal fired generation facilities for
Oregon utility customers, (ii) increases the renewable portfolio
standard in Oregon and (iii) establishes a community solar program
statewide.
The legislation was supported by business groups, environmental
organizations and the state's big utilities, Portland General
Electric and Pacific Power, and should spur the development of
renewable energy projects throughout the state.
Coal fired generating plants currently supply the state with
approximately 1/3 of its electricity needs. The new state law
requires that by the year 2035 no electricity in Oregon generated
by an investor owned utility be fueled by coal. Electric
cooperatives and municipal utilities are exempt, but the two IOUs
(PGE and Pacific Power)
