LOC News
Multiple Renewable Energy Proposals Advance
Four significant energy policy bills have gained traction this legislative session, including several that reflect broad policy recommendations adopted last spring by the LOC Energy & Environment Policy Committee to authorize local renewable green tariff programs. Cities are encouraged to review these bills and provide input to their legislators as they advance.
HB 2021: 100% Renewable
HB 2021 would require investor-owned utilities to meet specific renewable energy targets, with requirements for utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to: 80% below baseline emissions by the year 2030; 90% below baseline emissions by 2040; and 100% below baseline emissions by the 2050. Baseline emissions are measured by the average annual emissions from the years 2010, 2011 and 2013. The bill includes provisions that would allow a local government, or federally recognized tribe, to adopt a local green tariff program for the deployment of community-scale renewables within the local government’s jurisdictional boundaries. The program would provide opt-out provisions for residential customers that do not wish to participate. Several proposed amendments have been drafted for HB 2021. The LOC is currently reviewing the -23 amendments and anticipates they may be considered for adoption during the April 12 meeting of the House Energy & Environment Committee.
HB 3221: Oregon Renewable Options Program
HB 3221, with -1 amendments, was voted out of the House Water Committee on April 6. The bill provides statutory guidance and authority for the Oregon Public Utility Commission to authorize programs that give local governments, tribal governments, and local service districts (e.g. irrigation districts and water control districts) more opportunities to choose the renewable energy that powers and increases the energy resilience of local communities. The Oregon Renewable Options Program would be available to customers of investor-owned utilities including Portland General Electric and Pacific Power. HB 3221 bill outlines a process for local communities to submit a proposal to participate in the program, including a public engagement process.
SB 784: Green Tariff Program
SB 784 proposes a green energy tariff program in Oregon. Like HB 2021, the bill would allow a local government, or federally recognized tribe, to adopt a local green tariff program for the deployment of community-scale renewables within the local government’s jurisdictional boundaries. The program would provide opt-out provisions for residential customers that do not wish to participate. There are several amendments that have been proposed and that will be considered during a work session on April 13. View the proposed amendments here.
HB 3180: Updates to Oregon Renewable Portfolio Standard
HB 3180 would revise Oregon’s Renewable Portfolio Standards, which were last updated and increased in 2016. The bill would require 100% of electricity sold to retail customers to come from “qualifying electricity” by the year 2050. Several proposed amendments to HB 3180 will be considered for adoption during the April 12 meeting of the House Energy & Environment Committee. View the proposed amendments here.
Contact: Tracy Rutten Rainey, Lobbyist – trutten@orcities.org
Last Updated 4/9/21