Oregon bill looks to ban coal-generated electricity
Bill would transition Oregon off of coal by 2030
A new bill making its way through the Oregon legislature would effectively remove coal-generated electricity from the states energy system by 2030.
House Bill 4036 specifically requires each electric company providing electricity (to retail electricity consumers) i Oregon to eliminate coal-fired resources from its electricity supply.
Bill to move Oregon off coal power gets hearing https://t.co/K0rSs8Howh pic.twitter.com/6L3VSng2xM
— Statesman Journal (@Salem_Statesman) February 3, 2016
Renewed focus on renewables
In addition to specifically cutting coal out of the equation, House Bill 4036 also specifies that the state should renewable energy sources should incrementally produce electricity in the state.
The ultimate goal is for 50 percent of electricity in the state of Oregon to be produced by renewable sources by the year 2040.
Energy bill passes House
House lawmakers approved House Bill 4036 yesterday by a 39-20 vote. The bill will now reach the Oregon Senate for further debate.
The bill is considered to be a major overhaul of the state’s energy policies, so further debate is anticipated.
Two utility companies in the state would be most impacted by the proposed changes, Portland General Electric and Pacific Power. Together, those two companies provide about 70 percent of Oregon’s electricity.
