November 2020 Newsletter

ODOE Publishes 2020 Biennial Energy Report

On November 1, the Oregon Department of Energy published its 2020 Biennial Energy Report. The report focuses on fundamental information about energy in Oregon as well as on emerging energy issues, from microgrids and energy resilience to transportation fuels to the effects of COVID-19 and climate change on the energy sector.

The 2020 report was shaped by a data-driven process, equity considerations, and input from energy stakeholders and the public. A recurring theme from the input was to create shorter briefs on a greater variety of energy topics for Oregon. The "BER" provides resource and technology reviews and introductory Energy 101s to help readers of all backgrounds establish a baseline understanding of energy in Oregon – we hope they serve as a foundation for the report’s more technical policy briefs as well as for future conversations about energy policy in our state.

New this year in the "Energy by the Numbers" section is an energy flow diagram (pictured) that illustrates Oregon’s production and imports of various energy resources through to their ultimate end use, such as transportation fuel use or electricity generation and consumption.

The 2020 Biennial Energy Report is available in full and by section at energyinfo.oregon.gov/ber.

December Webinar to Introduce 2020 Biennial Energy Report

ODOE is planning a 2020 Biennial Energy Report virtual "roadshow" in the new year to share the report's contents and uses and to hear feedback about what Oregonians want the future of our energy system to look like – and how to get there.

On December 3, 2020 at 1 p.m., join ODOE for an introductory webinar about the BER, including how to read and use the report's different sections. ODOE Director Janine Benner will provide a quick orientation to the report, followed by highlights from some of the report's authors, including topics like clean energy standards, resource adequacy, electric vehicles, equity, and more. The webinar will also reserve Q&A time for audience participation.

This intro webinar will set the stage ahead of the virtual roadshow in 2021. More information, including how to join the online webinar, is available on ODOE's website. Sign up to receive email notices about future BER-focused webinars. Provide feedback or request a presentation on specific topics for your organization through our online comment form.

Radioactive Materials Enforcement Rulemaking Virtual Workshop

On December 7, 2020, ODOE will hold a virtual workshop to discuss potential revisions to administrative rules for the enforcement of the laws and rules governing the transport and disposal of radioactive materials and waste in Oregon.

At the workshop, ODOE staff will provide an overview of draft proposed rules that were prepared with the assistance of a Rulemaking Advisory Committee. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions about the rulemaking process and provide informal input on the draft proposed rules. Staff will also provide information about a potential legislative concept for the 2021 legislative session that also deals with the transport and disposal of radioactive materials and waste in Oregon. More information, including how to join the virtual workshop, is available on ODOE's blog.

More background about radioactive waste disposal in Oregon is available on our website.

ODOE Renewable Energy Development Grant Supports Salem's New Cogeneration Facility

Last year, ODOE Director Janine Benner joined the City of Salem for the groundbreaking ceremony of the City's latest renewable energy project — a biogas facility designed to turn wastewater into usable onsite energy. The facility is now operational and is expected to cut about 5,000 metric tons of emissions while saving the city $300,000 on energy costs every year. ODOE is proud to support the project with a $250,000 Renewable Energy Development Grant.

The City published the first of a series of videos highlighting the project. Watch the video, and its forthcoming sequels, on Salem's YouTube channel to learn more.

Reports from Around the Agency

E3, the firm working with the Oregon Department of Energy and its partners on the Oregon Renewable Energy Siting Assessment (ORESA) project will provide a webinar update on Tuesday, December 8 at noon on the preliminary results of its Renewable Energy Market Assessment modeling. The webinar information and materials will be available on ODOE’s website.
ODOE Facilities Engineer Blake Shelide, P.E. has been reappointed to the International Code Council’s Commercial Energy Code Development Committee for the 2021-22 code development cycle. The ICC was established in 1994 with the goal of developing a single set of national model construction codes that came to be known as the International Codes, or I-Codes. The I-Codes are a family of 15 coordinated, modern building safety codes that help ensure the engineering of safe, sustainable, affordable, and resilient structures.
We were excited to learn this month that the City of Ashland has launched a new zero emission vehicle and electric bike incentive program for Ashland Electric customers. Learn more at Go Electric Oregon.
On November 10, ODOE Senior Policy Analyst Adam Schultz moderated a Sustainable Northwest panel on energy resilience in Oregon, part of Sustainable Northwest's Making Energy Work for Rural Oregon series.
ODOE is partnering with the Oregon Department of Transportation in support of its Transportation Electrification Infrastructure Needs Analysis study. The study will assess Oregon’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure needs and identify barriers to accessing EV charging infrastructure for all Oregonians. ODOT created a special advisory group that will help inform the development of the study. The group held its first meeting on November 17.
Each month, ODOE provides a summary of the latest updates for energy facilities the Energy Facility Siting Council is reviewing. Check out the online dashboard showing the latest updates or sign up for email updates.
On December 2, the Oregon Department of Energy will host a workshop on Oregon's "Reach Code," a voluntary building code that exceeds the regular code for efficiency. Learn more on our website.
Volunteers are currently being recruited to serve on the Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board, with service to begin in 2021. The 20-member board provides input to the U.S. Department of Energy and its regulators on the Hanford Nuclear Site cleanup. Learn More.
The Energy Facility Siting Council, a governor-appointed volunteer council responsible for the review and oversight of large-scale energy facilities, currently has one vacancy. Submit an interest form through the Governor's office, and contact Todd Cornett, ODOE's Assistant Director for Siting and the Council Secretary, with questions.
COVID-19 continues to influence how Oregonians live their daily lives. ODOE's Salem office remains closed to public walk-in traffic, but our services remain available. ODOE meetings are being held remotely. Keep an eye on our online calendar and sign up for emails to receive meeting notices and information on how to participate.