Submission + - SPAM: Oregon Set To Become First Coal-Free State
daubney writes: Oregon lawmakers have approved legislation to eliminate coal from the state's electrical supplyÂby 2035, the first U.S. state to do so.
The bill,Âcalled the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition plan, commits the state to doubling its use of renewable energy, including solar and wind, to 50 percent by 2040.
The measure makes Oregon the first state to eliminate coal by legislative action, The Associated Press reports.Â
The bill, passed this week by both legislative branches, now heads to Gov. Kate BrownÂ(D). Brown said in a statement that the legislationÂ"equips Oregon with a bold and progressive path towards the energy resource mix of the future."
Today, roughly one third of Oregon's power is produced from coal, according to the Oregon Department of Energy. Hydropower, at 43 percent, accounts for largest percentage of the state's electricity generation.
The legislation was backed by environmental advocacy groups, as well as the state's largest electric companies.
Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, called the bill's approvalÂ"historic" and "the most significant legislative action the U.S. has taken since the Paris climate agreement" in a statement.Â
Republicans argued the legislation willÂdrive up energy bills and do little to help the environment. But Pacific Power, one of the state's largest utilities, said it will reduce carbon pollution by 30 million metric tons — equal to taking 6.4 million cars off the road.
"We are pleased that we were able to work with a broad group of stakeholders to help craft a policy that will put Oregon on a path to meet the stateâ(TM)s carbon reduction goals — while ensuring it will keep the lights on, and costs to our customers low," Pacific Power CEO Stefan Bird said in a statement.Â
The bill,Âcalled the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition plan, commits the state to doubling its use of renewable energy, including solar and wind, to 50 percent by 2040.
The measure makes Oregon the first state to eliminate coal by legislative action, The Associated Press reports.Â
The bill, passed this week by both legislative branches, now heads to Gov. Kate BrownÂ(D). Brown said in a statement that the legislationÂ"equips Oregon with a bold and progressive path towards the energy resource mix of the future."
Today, roughly one third of Oregon's power is produced from coal, according to the Oregon Department of Energy. Hydropower, at 43 percent, accounts for largest percentage of the state's electricity generation.
The legislation was backed by environmental advocacy groups, as well as the state's largest electric companies.
Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, called the bill's approvalÂ"historic" and "the most significant legislative action the U.S. has taken since the Paris climate agreement" in a statement.Â
Republicans argued the legislation willÂdrive up energy bills and do little to help the environment. But Pacific Power, one of the state's largest utilities, said it will reduce carbon pollution by 30 million metric tons — equal to taking 6.4 million cars off the road.
"We are pleased that we were able to work with a broad group of stakeholders to help craft a policy that will put Oregon on a path to meet the stateâ(TM)s carbon reduction goals — while ensuring it will keep the lights on, and costs to our customers low," Pacific Power CEO Stefan Bird said in a statement.Â
BREAKING: Oregon just passed the historic #CoalFreeOR bill â" a huge victory for clean energy! [spam URL stripped] â" NRDC (@NRDC) March 2, 2016
Oregon will join a select few states making such an aggressive push toward renewable energy production. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Oregon is matched only by Hawaii, with a 100 requirement by 2045, Vermont, with a 75 percent target by 2032, and California and New York, with 50 percent goals by 2030.Â
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
Link to Original Source
