Director Benner Joins Environment Oregon for Event Supporting Electric Vehicles

This morning, Oregon Department of Energy Director Janine Benner joined Environment Oregon, Lane Transit District, and others to show support for electric vehicles, buses, and infrastructure in our state.

Saving Energy, Energy in Oregon, Climate ChangeJennifer KalezJuly 29, 2021Electric Vehicles, Electric Buses, EV Infrastructure, Go Electric

A High-Energy End to the 2021 Legislative Session

As the 2021 Legislative Session came to a close last month, ODOE celebrated passing our priority bills, including new energy efficiency standards for consumer products, updates to our radioactive waste program, and fixes for laws guiding energy facility siting in Oregon and our Energy Facility Siting Council.

Energy in Oregon, ODOE Incentives, Renewable Energy, Safety & Resilience, Saving EnergyJennifer KalezJuly 26, 2021Oregon Legislature, Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program, Rebate, Grants, Incentives

Energy Facility Siting Council to Meet July 23

The next regularly scheduled meeting of Oregon’s Energy Facility Siting Council will be held virtually Friday, July 23, 2021.

Energy Facilities, Energy in Oregon, Get Involved, Press Releases, Public MeetingErica EuenJuly 15, 2021EFSC, Energy Facility Siting Council, Energy Facilities, Public Meeting, Get Involved

Spotlight: Energy Bill Basics

We use energy at home every day – from turning on the lights to brewing that cup of coffee to warming up our homes in the winter months. That energy comes in different forms, including electricity, natural gas, propane, fuel oil, and even wood. All of these uses end up as part of your home energy bills, and understanding bill terminology can help Oregonians better understand what the changes mean on energy bills.

Energy in Oregon, Saving EnergyJennifer KalezJuly 13, 2021Biennial Energy Report, Energy Efficiency, Energy Bill, Energy 101, Home Tips

Pandemic Fuel Use Data Shows Decrease in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Fuel use data from the COVID-19 pandemic shows a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. As Oregon reopens and residents return to regular commutes, there are opportunities to use more alternative transportation options and continue reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy in Oregon, Get InvolvedGuest UserJuly 9, 2021COVID-19, Greenhouse Gases, transportation, Truck Efficiency

June 2021 Newsletter

In this month’s newsletter, Oregon wraps up the 2021 legislative session with new programs for ODOE, the agency is awarded a $100,000 USDA grant to support rural and agricultural energy audits, state adopts new energy efficiency standards, and more.

Energy Facilities, Energy in Oregon, ODOE Incentives, Saving EnergyJennifer KalezJune 30, 2021Newsletter, Oregon Legislature, Incentives

Electricity on the Move: Transmission in Oregon

Oregonians – and beyond – count on a network of transmission lines to move high-voltage electricity across long distances to power our homes and businesses. The lines connect electricity customers to resources that generate electricity, which are often located far away from communities.

Energy in Oregon, Energy FacilitiesJennifer KalezJune 23, 2021Transmission Line, Transmission, Electricity, Power, Biennial Energy Report

Oregon Adopts New Energy Efficiency Standards for Eleven Products

As technology improves over time, household and commercial equipment is becoming more efficient – which reduces both consumer energy costs and cuts down on harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Setting minimum standards for products and appliances ensures Oregonians can access the most efficient options available on the market (and ultimately lower their energy bills).

Climate Change, Energy in Oregon, Saving EnergyJennifer KalezJune 4, 2021Efficiency Standards, Appliance Standards, Energy Efficiency, State Standards, Rulemaking, Oregon Legislature

Oregon Department of Energy Awarded $100,000 Grant to Support Energy Audits for Agricultural Producers and Rural Small Businesses

The Oregon Department of Energy has been awarded a $100,000 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ODOE will use the grant dollars to support energy audits for Oregon agricultural producers and rural small businesses.

Energy in Oregon, ODOE Incentives, Press Releases, Saving EnergyJennifer KalezJune 2, 2021Rural & Agricultural Energy Audit Program, Energy Audit, Agriculture, Small Business, Rural, Incentives, Rebate, Press Release, News Release, Energy Efficiency, Save Energy

May 2021 Newsletter

In this month’s newsletter, ODOE breaks down where Oregon gets its transportation fuels, celebrates the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center's net zero features, shares some fun energy activities for the summer, and more.

Energy in Oregon, Renewable Energy, Safety & Resilience, Saving EnergyJennifer KalezMay 28, 2021Newsletter, Transportation, Biennial Energy Report, Net Zero Buildings, Dril, Emergency Exercise, Hanford, Electric Vehicles, Resilience

Refueling in Progress at Energy Northwest's Columbia Generating Station

On May 8, Energy Northwest began the 25th refueling of the Columbia Generating Station – a nuclear power plant located near Richland, Washington that provides power the Northwestern grid, including Oregon.

Energy in OregonErica EuenMay 26, 2021Nuclear, Energy in Oregon, CGS, Columbia Generating Station

Road Trip: Where Oregon Gets its Transportation Fuels

With warmer months around the corner, we can expect more Oregonians will be packing up to hit the road this summer. Whether it’s planes, trains, or automobiles, travelers will need fuel to reach their destinations. Here in Oregon, we spend about $7.6 billion on transportation fuels each year, from gasoline and diesel to jet fuel and electricity. So where do those fuels come from?

Energy in OregonJennifer KalezMay 13, 2021Biennial Energy Report, Transportation, Fuel Distribution, Biofuels, Alternative Fuel

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center Sustainability Shines

The Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, located on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, is at the forefront of sustainability in Oregon. The health center is enrolled in Energy Trust of Oregon’s Path to Net Zero. Not only is it the first emerging net zero energy health care building in Oregon, but it is the first tribal building to make this commitment as well.

Energy in Oregon, Saving Energy, Success StoriesJennifer KalezMay 12, 2021Tribes, Biennial Energy Report, Success Stories, Net Zero Energy, Sustainability

April 2021 Newsletter

In this month’s newsletter, we share an upcoming public webinar on energy and climate in Oregon, celebrate a virtual ribbon-cutting for an ODOE-supported solar project in Ashland, publish an updated electricity resource mix, and more.

Climate Change, Energy in Oregon, Renewable EnergyJennifer KalezApril 30, 2021Newsletter, newsletter, Climate Change, Biennial Energy Report, RED Grant, Renewable Energy Development Grant, Solar, County Profile, Electricity Resource Mix, Grounded Podcast, Earth Day

ODOE Energy Report: Join Us May 13 for a Webinar on Energy + Climate in Oregon

The Oregon Department of Energy will host a public webinar on May 13, 2021 to walk through parts of the agency’s 2020 Biennial Energy Report that focus on energy and climate in Oregon.

Climate Change, Energy in Oregon, Public Meeting, Renewable Energy, Saving EnergyJennifer KalezApril 27, 2021Biennial Report, Biennial Energy Report, Get Involved, Public Meeting, Public Involvement, Webinar, Climate Change, Energy Efficiency, Clean Energy

GROUNDED PODCAST: Back in Time with Janine Benner

On this interactive episode of Grounded, we sit down with ODOE’s Director, Janine Benner, and walk through the Oregon Energy History Timeline section of the 2020 Biennial Energy Report.

Podcasts, Energy in OregonGuest UserApril 23, 20212020 BER, Oregon History, Energy History, Janine Benner

ODOE Helps Cut the Virtual Ribbon on Ashland Food Co-op's Solar Installation

Oregon Department of Energy Director Janine Benner joined (virtually) Ashland Food Co-op, True South Solar, the City of Ashland, and other partners to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Ashland Food Co-op’s new virtual net-metered solar installation. ODOE was proud to support the project with a $100,000 Renewable Energy Development Grant.

Energy in Oregon, ODOE Grants, Success StoriesJennifer KalezApril 23, 2021RED Grant Success, RED Grant, Renewable Energy Development Grant, Solar, Renewable Energy

Earth Day Every Day – Energy Savings and Climate Change Resources for Everyday Actions

Make every day Earth Day with tips and tricks for energy savings, climate change information, and other earth-conscious actions to incorporate into your daily life.

Climate Change, Energy in Oregon, Get Involved, Saving EnergyErica EuenApril 22, 2021Earth Day, Energy Efficiency, Save Energy, Climate Change

Oregon + Climate Change

This Earth Day, we reflect on our changing climate and the hazards it poses to our society and surrounding environment, from smoke-inducing wildfires and mega-droughts to destructive flooding events.