The U.S. state of Oregon is the third largest renewable energy producing state in the United States. Hydroelectric power dominates the power market in Oregon, providing nearly two-thirds of the electricity generated in the state, although it accounts for less than half of the total percentage consumed when electricity imported from other states is accounted for. Coal is the second largest source of the state's energy portfolio, with much of it being imported from Wyoming and domestic production coming from the Boardman Coal Plant, Oregon's only coal power plant.
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Electricity
The following table uses official statistics from the Oregon Department of Energy to show Oregon's changing electric fuel mix:
Renewable Energy
The Oregon Renewable Energy Act was signed into law in 2007. It mandated that at least 20% of all energy resources comes from renewable resources by 2020, and it raises the standard to 25% by 2025. Former Union County Commissioner and renewable energy advocate John Lamoreau encouraged the legislature to pass the bill.
On March 8, 2016 Gov. Kate Brown signed the Clean Energy and Coal Transition Act into law. This new law mandates increases in renewable energy resources to 27% by 2025, 35% by 2030, 45% by 2035, and 50% by 2040. Under terms of the legislation, by 2035 Oregonians will no longer pay for any energy from coal by 2035.