CALLING FOR CLEAN ENERGY—By producing more electricity with clean, renewable energy sources—such as these wind turbines in eastern Oregon—the state can improve air quality, decrease global warming emissions, save consumers and businesses money and reduce the nation’s dependence on oil.

Dramatically ramping up Oregon’s reliance on clean, renewable energy is the chief goal of a new campaign being launched this summer by OSPIRG. The campaign is calling on the state to require utilities to produce 25 percent of our energy from clean, renewable sources by 2025.

After years of steady incremental progress toward better energy policy in Oregon, OSPIRG is calling for this dramatic leap forward amid a series of events that point to a possible shift in the nation’s and the state’s energy priorities, including:

• In his State of the Union address, President Bush announced that he wants to curb our country’s addiction to oil (despite a five-year record of blocking energy independence policies).

• In his State of the State address, Gov. Ted Kulongoski announced his support for the 25 percent clean energy by 2025 goal.

• At the end of March, environmental and business leaders from around the state gathered in Bend for an energy summit.

The goal of 25 percent of Oregon’s energy being renewable is the centerpiece of a series of steps to achieve real, lasting energy independence while also helping to solve global warming. One key step is to save energy—and save consumers and businesses OSPIRG money—through 21st century energy-efficiency technologies.

A bill backed by OSPIRG in the 2005 session will save enough electricity by 2020 to power 70,000 homes for one year, and save Oregonians $246 million on energy bills, by increasing energy-efficiency standards for appliances. OSPIRG is now calling for additional energy-efficiency standards that would save enough additional electricity to power 40,000 homes and save enough natural gas for nearly 90,000 homes. OSPIRG is also calling for improvements to building codes that will result in newer buildings and renovated buildings with reduced energy consumption.

Another critical step is for Oregon to stimulate the development of small-scale energy production, such as solar power and community wind farms, that generate clean energy to be used locally. An OSPIRG-backed bill passed by the 2005 Legislature quadruples the amount of the tax credit home-owners can take for using solar power.

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE BENEFITS ECONOMY—Not only will renewable energy benefit Oregon’s environment and save consumers money, it will also create more jobs than traditional fossil fuel-based energy production.

OSPIRG is now calling on legislators to extend and expand the Energy Trust of Oregon, which provides financial assistance to consumers and businesses to support clean energy projects, and for the state to set standards and provide incentives that support solar power and community- scale wind farms.

“Of course, we know there are powerful interests that have thus far blocked real progress toward new energy solutions,” said OSPIRG Energy Advocate Jeremiah Baumann.

This summer, OSPIRG is working to educate the public and elected officials about the need for these solutions. Research and advocacy staff are documenting the benefits of a clean energy agenda for the media. OSPIRG advocates are reaching out to legislators and other elected officials to form a team of clean energy champions who will press the 2007 Legislature for swift action. And citizen outreach staff people are knocking on tens of thousands of doors to enlist the support of Oregonians statewide.

“If special interest lobbyists succeed in blocking these important reforms during the 2007 legislative session,” said Baumann, “the voters might have a chance to take action on the 2008 ballot.”