November 2024 Newsletter
New ODOE Report Showcases State's Changing Energy Landscape
On November 1, the Oregon Department of Energy published its 2024 Biennial Energy Report, featuring fundamental information and data about energy in Oregon, highlights of emerging energy resources, and foundational “Energy 101s” on current topics and technologies.
Like past editions, the 2024 report was shaped by a data-driven process, equity considerations, and input from community partners and the public on the topics that matter most. The 2024 report content focuses on relevant aspects of Oregon’s clean energy transition, including emerging clean resources and technologies and the challenges of a changing energy system – including customer costs, markets and demand, and transmission needs. As Oregon moves toward cleaner energy resources, climate change is increasingly taking a toll on our energy systems. At the same time, energy demand is growing faster than it has in several decades, led by the proliferation of data centers and industrial growth.
Meeting these challenges also comes with opportunities, as the report outlines. Home Energy Scoring gives buyers more certainty about future energy costs and creates more local jobs. Installing more solar and wind generation helps Oregon meet climate goals and uses less water. Reducing waste energy through energy efficiency and conservation also reduces energy costs, makes resilience measures more efficient, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
ODOE is pleased to share the new report with Oregon leaders, energy stakeholders, and the community. Oregonians are invited to ask questions, provide feedback, or request a report presentation for their organization or community group: https://odoe.powerappsportals.us/en-US/ber-comment/
The 2024 Biennial Energy Report is available in its entirety and by section at https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/ber.
Yay for 100K!
Oregon’s push for a greener future got a major boost this year when the state surpassed 100,000 registered electric vehicles on Oregon roads. The milestone will mean fewer emissions from the transportation sector and across Oregon.
Oregon crossed the 100,000 registered electric cars, SUVs, and light trucks threshold in July 2024, according to DMV registration data. As of August 2024, there are about 102,400 registered EVs throughout the state. That number includes both battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Representatives from the Oregon Departments of Energy, Environmental Quality, and Transportation gathered in the rain at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland on November 18 to celebrate the milestone with a press conference. Directors from each agency and OMSI President and CEO Erin Graham spoke about the state’s progress to electrify transportation and reduce emissions from transportation, which account for about 35 percent of the state’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
Learn more about electric vehicles, charging, and available rebates and incentives on our Go Electric Oregon website.
ODOE Welcomes New RARE Member Sara Lark
The Oregon Department of Energy welcomed our first member of the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program, Angela Singleton, in Fall 2022 and a second RARE member, Alice Weston, in Fall 2023. Their work was so valuable to ODOE and the rural communities we serve.
We are thrilled to welcome a new RARE member, Sara “Lark” Millies-Lucke, to ODOE! Sara Lark is working with the Community Navigator Program and will be analyzing ODOE programs in various stages of implementation to help us learn about how we can better reach and serve rural communities and support their energy resilience.
Meet Sara Lark in her own words on ODOE's blog.
On the Road in Oregon
Our Community Navigator Program's On the Road in Oregon blog series continues this month, with a check-in from Community Navigator Sarah Moehrke. Sarah shares:
I had the opportunity to moderate a panel at the Oregon Economic Development Association’s (OEDA) annual conference. The panel, titled "Powering Resilience: Protecting Businesses and Communities in a Changing Climate” brought together voices from Avista, Lake County, and Douglas Electric Cooperative – leaders who understand that energy resilience is more than just a utility issue, it’s about protecting and growing our local economies. We discussed how reliable energy systems keep businesses running and ensure that families and communities have what they need to thrive, even during extreme weather events or other disruptions. One highlight from the discussion was hearing about the innovative work being done in rural Oregon. From upgrading infrastructure to designing community-specific solutions, these efforts show how energy resilience and economic development are interconnected.
Sarah also completed the Oregon Certified Economic Developer program through OEDA. Read more on our blog.
November Oregon Energy Strategy Update
As the year comes to a close, so too does the first phase of Oregon Energy Strategy development (catch up on the energy strategy project in our October newsletter and on ODOE’s website).
The ODOE team is now keeping busy on a few fronts and looking forward to kicking-off phase two of the project early next year. We’re incorporating comments and feedback received so far to inform the project’s modeling and technical analysis, and modeling is now underway. ODOE’s project consultants, led by Clean Energy Transition Institute, are working on delivering modeling results in early 2025. We look forward to seeing and sharing these results with Oregonians in the new year; be sure to sign up for email updates to hear about opportunities to get involved.
The ODOE team is framing up the next phase of the Oregon Energy Strategy project, during which we will build on insights from the technical analysis to inform policy discussions. While the policy discussions will overlap with the 2025 legislative session that begins in January, note that the development of the Oregon Energy Strategy is on a different timeline. The final report will be presented by November 2025 to the Governor and Legislature, and will inform future policy action.
Things we’re looking forward to in 2025: presenting the final modeling results; hosting in-depth conversations about policy gaps and opportunities; and conducting additional research in the early spring. Keep an eye on our website for future updates (and one more plug to sign up for email updates).
A New Chapter in Oregon's Energy Story
In case you couldn't tell, ODOE was excited to release our 2024 Biennial Energy Report to kick off November. The report tells Oregon’s energy story, including how the state’s energy system has evolved over time to include new technologies, address changes in the availability of different generation resources, and to meet state energy goals.
On the latest episode of our Grounded podcast, we meet ODOE’s Technology & Policy Manager, Jessica Reichers. She leads part of the team that researches, writes, and publishes this report. She gives listeners a snapshot of the report and points out that Oregon’s ambitious renewable energy and carbon reduction goals are helping to spur innovation and major changes to our energy landscape.
We also hear from Mary Kopriva, an economist with ODOE, who explains that some of Oregon’s renewable electricity – generated largely from hydroelectric dams – gets sold to other states. We learn that Oregon participates in real-time electricity markets with partners throughout the West, where electricity is bought and sold to ensure communities and businesses have the electricity they need when they need it.
Listen to the latest episode on our blog or your favorite podcast app.
Reports from Around the Agency
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the vast diversity, contributions, history, and culture that Tribes across this land bring and have brought since time immemorial. On our blog this month, ODOE Community Equity & Inclusion Analyst Lauren Rosenstein reflects on the month in her own words.
Following publication of ODOE's 2024 Biennial Energy Report, the Bend Bulletin Editorial Board highlighted our Energy 101 on what's driving electricity rate increases in the state. Check out our Energy 101 and the Editorial Board's thoughts.
At its November 14 meeting in Madras, the Energy Facility Siting Council voted unanimously to approve the Site Certificate for the Sunstone Solar Project, which, if constructed, will add up to 1,200 megawatts of solar photovoltaic energy generation components and up to 1,200 MW of distributed battery storage in Morrow County. This is the largest solar project, in capacity and footprint (14.75 square miles), approved in Oregon to date. Learn more about EFSC, the siting process, and energy facilities in Oregon.
In late October, ODOE joined the Oregon Department of Emergency Management in IronOR 24, a statewide emergency exercise designed to test Oregon's capabilities and readiness in responding to a catastrophic Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake. ODOE Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety & Emergency Preparedness Maxwell Woods and Hanford Hydrogeologist Tom Sicilia were on hand to participate. ODOE Director Janine Benner even stopped by to see the practice in action. Learn more about ODOE's emergency preparedness work on our website.
On November 6, Associate Director for Strategic Engagement Ruchi Sadhir was pleased be a guest lecturer for a graduate class on energy policy at Portland State University. Ruchi discussed Oregon's clean energy transition, current trends, and more with students.
ODOE Energy Analyst Tom Elliott and Facilities Engineer Stephanie Kruse attended the Willamette Valley Ag Expo this month to connect with partners and share information about ODOE's Rural & Agricultural Energy Assistance Program.
On November 13, ODOE Energy Analyst Roger Kainu presented on energy efficiency and building codes during the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy's National Energy Codes Collaborative meeting. Roger discussed ODOE's approach to public engagement and outreach when developing energy codes.
ODOE Senior Climate Action Policy Analyst Amy Schlusser presented during a public Transportation Seminar at Portland State University on November 15. Amy discussed greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector and Oregon's policies to address them.
On November 22, ODOE Director Janine Benner presented on the 2024 Biennial Energy Report to attendees in the Sustainable Future Section of the Oregon State Bar. Janine's overview of Oregon's energy present and future served as Continuing Legal Education credit for members of the Bar.
In early December, three members of ODOE's Nuclear Safety & Preparedness team are heading to the annual U.S. Department of Energy Environmental Management Intergovernmental Conference in Las Vegas. The annual event brings together environmental management representatives from states, local communities, and Tribal governments. Assistant Director Maxwell Woods will be facilitating panel discussions on Regulatory Structures and Intergovernmental Coodination Case Studies and on Emergency Planning and Response.
The Oregon Climate Action Commission submitted two reports to the legislature to wrap up 2024. The Commission's biennial report to the legislature provides key foundational information on the state’s climate change impacts, emission trends, and progress toward achieving Oregon’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals. The Commission's biennial report on the Natural and Working Lands Fund shares updates on investments in natural climate solutions on Oregon’s natural and working lands.
Did you know ODOE's Energy Facility Siting Team is currently reviewing more than a dozen proposed or amended energy facilities? From wind to solar facilities – to combined wind, solar, and storage facilities – you can learn more about the state's process and how to get involved on our website. You can also sign up to receive a monthly facility siting update showing the latest and greatest.
ODOE has several incentive programs up and running. Learn more about our energy incentives on ODOE's website.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Oregon Energy Code Stakeholder Panel | December 11, 2024 | Via Webinar
Energy Facility Siting Council | December 13, 2024| Salem and Via Webinar
Energy Advisory Work Group | December 19, 2024 | Via Webinar
Oregon Climate Action Commission | January 10, 2025 | Via Webinar
Current Rulemakings (click to see details)
Other Stakeholder Groups (click to see details)