Oregon Passes Tough New Renewable Energy Law

Daily Herald

Aaron Clark

The Associated Press

SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed into law one of the nation's toughest renewable energy standards Wednesday, requiring large utilities to generate 25 percent of the state's electricity from renewable resources such as wind, sunlight and biomass by 2025.

Supporters said the measure will promote economic growth in Oregon's rural areas and make it a leader in the emerging clean energy, low-carbon marketplace.

"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," Kulongoski said. "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 measure requires large electrical utilities to draw 5 percent of their power from renewable resources -- other than existing hydroelectric dams -- by 2011. The renewable share increases by increments to 25 percent by 2025.

Oregon's mandates are among the most aggressive in the nation.

Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia require electric utilities to draw a portion of their energy from renewable sources, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Minnesota and New Hampshire have passed similar renewable requirements, and California has a standard of 20 percent by 2010.

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