CUB Members and Supporters Working to Protect Oregon Ratepayers
Renewable Energy Standard Threatened
The threats to water down Oregon's Renewable Energy Standard are still very much alive in these last days of the 2009 session. The standard was passed in 2007 to require utilities to have 25 percent of their load met by renewable resources by 2025. Two bills that would dilute the 25 by 25 standard may very well be approved by the 2009 legislature, thanks to the utilities and other industries. Both Portland General Electric and Pacific Power supported the Renewable Energy Standard in 2007 but neither are helping to defend it now.
Please contact both your state senator and state representative RIGHT NOW and tell them to protect Oregon's Renewable Energy Standard.
The two bills are:
(UPDATED) HB 3039: While this solar bill has some good parts, on Friday, June 19, a conference committee inserted large scale solar resources, which may be expensive to ratepayers, and allow a 2-for-1 credit against the RPS for these large scale resources. This means that every kilowatt of solar with count as two - and the utilities will have to build or buy fewer renewable resources. It means that those new renewables will probably get replaced with dirty power. And it may mean that other renewable resources that are not yet quite cost-competitive may try for similar special treatment. Right now, the Renewable Energy Standard treats all renewable resources equally and that's the best way to make sure ratepayers get full value of the standard. Both PGE and Pacific Power support the 2-for-1 credit against the standard.
Message: tell both your state senator and state representative to vote NO on HB 3039 because of the 2-for-1 credit against the Renewable Energy Standard.
HB 2940: this bill would allow adding electricity from old biomass facilities and possibly other existing resources to the Renewable Energy Standard. These resources are not currently eligible to count toward the standard. If they are allowed to count, it would reduce the amount of new renewable resources built to serve Oregon's future energy load. PGE is neutral on the bill; Pacific Power supports the bill.
Message: tell both your state senator and state representative to vote NO on HB 2940 and not dilute Oregon's strong Renewable Energy Standard with existing resources, some created as far back as the 1930s!
Remember, the 2009 legislative session is rapidly coming to a close and that's just the time when things get snuck into bills. So contact your state senator and state representative RIGHT NOW!
Don't know who your state legislators are? Go here to find out!
Thanks, CUB supporters! In case you have any doubts about your ability to make a difference, read our latest blog about some recent wins at the Public Utility Commission. And then help us get some wins at the legislature!
Contact your state legislators TODAY!
Please contact both your state senator and state representative RIGHT NOW and tell them to protect Oregon's Renewable Energy Standard.
The two bills are:
(UPDATED) HB 3039: While this solar bill has some good parts, on Friday, June 19, a conference committee inserted large scale solar resources, which may be expensive to ratepayers, and allow a 2-for-1 credit against the RPS for these large scale resources. This means that every kilowatt of solar with count as two - and the utilities will have to build or buy fewer renewable resources. It means that those new renewables will probably get replaced with dirty power. And it may mean that other renewable resources that are not yet quite cost-competitive may try for similar special treatment. Right now, the Renewable Energy Standard treats all renewable resources equally and that's the best way to make sure ratepayers get full value of the standard. Both PGE and Pacific Power support the 2-for-1 credit against the standard.
Message: tell both your state senator and state representative to vote NO on HB 3039 because of the 2-for-1 credit against the Renewable Energy Standard.
HB 2940: this bill would allow adding electricity from old biomass facilities and possibly other existing resources to the Renewable Energy Standard. These resources are not currently eligible to count toward the standard. If they are allowed to count, it would reduce the amount of new renewable resources built to serve Oregon's future energy load. PGE is neutral on the bill; Pacific Power supports the bill.
Message: tell both your state senator and state representative to vote NO on HB 2940 and not dilute Oregon's strong Renewable Energy Standard with existing resources, some created as far back as the 1930s!
Remember, the 2009 legislative session is rapidly coming to a close and that's just the time when things get snuck into bills. So contact your state senator and state representative RIGHT NOW!
Don't know who your state legislators are? Go here to find out!
Thanks, CUB supporters! In case you have any doubts about your ability to make a difference, read our latest blog about some recent wins at the Public Utility Commission. And then help us get some wins at the legislature!
Contact your state legislators TODAY!
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About
What is the CUB Action Network?
This networking site is designed to help CUB members and supporters get involved in advocacy efforts to protect Oregon ratepayers. Sign up to become a member at the top of this column and you'll receive special updates and action alerts at times when grassroots action will be especially important. When the Oregon legislature is in session, this site will be your main source of information for CUB's legislative activity. Invite your friends to get involved too!
Go to CUB's main website to find out about our overall programs.
Go to CUB's main website to find out about our overall programs.
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