Oregon Legislature passes coal transition bill; coal power out by 2035, 50% renewables by 2040
03 March 2016
The Oregon Legislative Assembly approved a landmark bill that will commit the state to eliminate its use of coal power by 2035 and double the amount of renewable energy serving Oregonians to 50% by 2040. Otherwise known as the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition plan, Senate Bill 1547-B received final approval on the Senate floor Wednesday after the Oregon House approved the bill in a 38-20 bipartisan vote on Tuesday.
The Clean Electricity and Coal Transition plan was crafted by bringing diverse parties to the table, including Oregon’s two largest electric utilities, energy industry and business groups, advocacy and community organizations. The plan received extensive public review in multiple state House and Senate hearings during January and February, as well as a special public meeting of the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC).
The electric utilities affected by the bill, Portland General Electric and Pacific Power, will work with the OPUC through their integrated resource plans to develop implementation strategies to meet the state’s new renewable power and coal transition standards.
Not very ambitious.
Posted by: TeslaRedux.co | 03 March 2016 at 11:46 AM
An almost partisan vote (38-20) in a (35-25) House?
This is a move in the right direction, even if opposed by the Grand Old Party representatives.
Posted by: HarveyD | 03 March 2016 at 11:53 AM