Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Oregon lawmakers OK pro-climate coal bill

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to pioneering legislation that will eliminate coal from the state's energy supply by 2030 and provide half of customers' power with renewable sources by 2040.

The measure passed by the Oregon Senate underscores a leadership role on environmental issues the state has staked out over the years. The state House of Representatives approved the bill Tuesday.

It makes Oregon the first state to eliminate coal by legislative action, and places it among a handful of other states with renewable energy standards 50 percent or higher.

Gov. Kate Brown seemed to indicate in a statement she would sign the bill. She said it "equips Oregon with a bold and progressive path towards the energy resource mix of the future."

Environmentalists and clean energy groups tout the proposal as one of the strongest pieces of pro-climate legislation the U.S. has seen in years.

"In terms of the coal phase-out, this really is precedent-setting," said Jeff Deyette, senior energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists who is an expert in state and federal policies on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

He said Oregon's move could "set new precedents for leadership in terms of transitioning to a truly low-carbon energy economy."

The legislation was hammered out between representatives of the state's two largest utilities, Portland General Electric and Pacific Power, and consumer advocates and environmental groups.

The Legislature's minority Republicans tried to fight the legislation, using delaying tactics to try to keep it from coming to a Senate floor vote before the legislative session adjourns this week.

GOP lawmakers voiced worry about the cost to consumers in the long run and questioned whether the benefits to the environment are being overstated.

"Oregonians are being sold a bill of goods with claims that this new mandate will reduce carbon emissions, when in reality we will see no improvement in pollution from emissions," said state Senate Republican Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy