[Comm-Council] FW: NEWS RELEASE: Governor Kulongoski Signs Renewable Portfolio Standard into Law

[HOKLIN Lonn * DAS DO]

Lonn Hoklin

Public Affairs Manager

Oregon Department of Administrative Services

503.378.2627

503.428.2169 (cell)

________________________________

From: SHERWOOD Jodi L * Governor's Office 
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 11:21 AM
To: EXEC Net List
Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Governor Kulongoski Signs Renewable Portfolio
Standard into Law

 

 

 

 

Theodore R. Kulongoski

          Governor

           

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    

June 6, 2007

 

Contact: 
Anna Richter Taylor: 503.378.6169

Jake Weigler: 503.378.6496

Kristina Edmunson: 503.378.5040

 

Governor Kulongoski Signs Renewable Portfolio Standard into Law

Legislation sets the goal of achieving 25% of energy comes from
renewable sources by 2025

 

Salem - Joined by legislators, state leaders and hundreds of renewable
energy supporters, Governor Ted Kulongoski today signed Senate Bill 838
into law, creating a renewable energy standard in Oregon that requires
the state's largest utilities to meet 25 percent of their electric load
with new renewable energy sources by 2025.

 

The Governor made establishing a renewable energy standard a legislative
priority because of the numerous ways it will benefit Oregon.

 

"This bill is the most significant environmental legislation we can
enact in more than 30 years that will also stimulate billions of dollars
in investment - creating hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs in both
urban and rural Oregon," Governor Kulongoski said. "Today we are not
only setting the state on a responsible path toward 25 percent renewable
energy by 2025, but we are protecting our quality of life, reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, stimulating our economy-and protecting
ratepayers with more stable and predictable utility rates." 

 

The legislation creates interim targets of: 5 percent by 2011; 15
percent by 2015; 20 percent by 2020; and 25 percent by 2025. To meet the
standard, electricity must come from a new renewable energy source that
was in operation on or after January 1, 1995. Sources of energy that
count toward the standard include wind, solar, wave, geothermal,
biomass, new hydro or efficiency upgrades to existing hydro facilities.

 

The legislation also contains protections for ratepayers, including a 4
percent cost-cap.  Utilities are not required to comply with the
standard if doing so will result in cost increases of more than four
percent.  In addition, if none of the options for compliance are
cost-effective, utilities have the option to make an Alternative
Compliance Payment (ACP) to help meet their renewable energy requirement
under the standard. The money will be placed into an account that can be
used at a later date to acquire renewable energy, invest in conservation
or, in the case of consumer-owned utilities, research and development.

 

Utilities that contribute less than three percent to the total state
energy load are exempt from meeting 25 percent of their demand with new
renewable energy source by 2025. Instead, they must meet either a five
percent or 10 percent target, depending on their size.  They also must
comply with the large utility standard if they make new investments in
coal-fired generation.

 

"This bill is not the end - it's just the beginning of a much broader,
sustained effort to reestablish - and maintain - Oregon as a leader in
innovative environmental and energy policies that protect our quality of
life, contribute to a robust economy and combat global warming," the
Governor continued.  "There is still work before us this session to
build on today's success.  We must not leave without enacting the
biofuels legislation and expanding the business energy tax credit
program so we can continue to address the very real issue of climate
change and create a stronger, cleaner and more energy independent
Oregon."

 

For more information on Senate Bill 838 go to: 
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/pdf/letters/faq_energy.pdf

 

-30-

 

 

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