Senate Confirms New Energy Facility Siting Council Members

The Energy Facility Siting Council has welcomed two new members, both confirmed by the Oregon Senate this year.

New EFSC members, Perry Chocktoot (L) and Phil Stenbeck (R).

Perry Chocktoot started his term in March. He joins the Council with a strong background in cultural and heritage expertise – serving as the Klamath Tribes’ Culture and Heritage Department Director, in addition to time on the Klamath Tribes Tribal Council and on the Governor’s Task Force on Cultural Resource Identification. Perry lives in Klamath Falls, and is a lifelong fisherman and hunter as well as a traditional arts and crafts practitioner.

Phil Stenbeck lives in Prineville and joined the Council in November. Phil has been an Oregon land use planner for 25 years, and currently serves as the Jefferson County Community Development Director. He also spent time as the Eastern Oregon Field Representative for the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, in addition to serving as a Crook County Assistant Planning Director.

As the Council welcomes Perry and Phil, we also thank Mary Winters for her service as her term on the Council comes to an end. Perry and Phil will join current members Marcy Grail, Kent Howe, Hanley Jenkins, Cindy Condon, and Jordan Truitt. Members are selected to understand, evaluate, and deliberate complex issues associated with proposed energy facilities under state jurisdiction and how those facilities affect Oregonians, the environment, and nearby communities. The council has the authority to approve or deny site certificates to allow applicants to construct and operate an energy facility. If a site certificate is granted, the council has ongoing regulatory authority over the construction and operation of the facility. The council also regulates the transportation of radioactive materials through Oregon, the disposal of radioactive materials within the state's borders, and the decommissioning of the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant.

To learn more about the council and how to participate in the facility siting process visit the Oregon Department of Energy’s website.