Two Oregon Utilities Support Proposed 50% Renewable Energy Standard By 2040

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http://cleantechnica.com/2016/02/03/two-oregon-utilities-support-proposed-50-renewable-energy-standard-2040/

According to Utility DIVE, Oregon’s two biggest investor-owned electric utilities are supporting legislation which will require them to meet a 50% renewable portfolio standard — double the current goal. If passed, the legislation will also phase out coal power generation and imports in the state’s energy portfolio.

Oregon coastline shutterstock_279461171House Bill 4030 would require utilities PacifiCorp and Portland General Electric (PGE) to eliminate coal imports by 2035 and meet 50% of consumer demand with renewable energy by 2040. The measure is viewed as a compromise between utilities and environmental advocates threatening to push for a more stringent renewables package in a ballot initiative.

In response, the investor-owned utilities are backing the compromise bill over another competing measure announced last month that aimed to set hard caps on emissions and a market-like structure for allowances.

In the end, Oregon’s two utilities have picked which carbon regulation bill they are backing, throwing support behind House Bill 4036, which The Oregonian reports would eliminate imports of coal power, significantly boost renewable energy, and generate tradable credits to offset anticipated costs.

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