DEVELOPING CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY—Oregon is a leader in developing new technology to generate wave energy on the coast, which could help curb global warming pollution. Photo submitted to OSPIRG’s Flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/oregoncoast

OSPIRG’s proposed Renewable Energy Standard, which would require Oregon utilities to generate 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar, has emerged as one of the top environmental issues in the new legislative session.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski has championed the 25 percent standard for
nearly a year and made it a top priority in his re-election campaign.
Last year, he convened the Renewable Energy Working Group, which included OSPIRG’s Jeremiah Baumann, to advise him on drafting the legislation, introduced in January.

The issue has broad support from both parties and from constituencies across the state. OSPIRG is working with other energy advocates, as well as county commissioners from Sherman and Hood River Counties, wheat growers and business advocates, to support the standard. As a testament to renewable energy’s broad appeal, legislators from both parties made renewable energy a priority in re-election campaigns.

Broad support has emerged for the renewable standard because Oregon has the resources and knowhow to address the state’s energy problems. Renewable energy is nearly pollution-free and offers stable rates. Wind energy is often cheaper than coal or natural gas.

While Oregonians depend on out-of-state or foreign supplies for coal and natural gas, renewable power can be generated in-state. Oregon has abundant renewable energy resources and leading research centers in renewable technologies.

Eastern Oregon offers plentiful wind resources, and even Oregon’s
rainiest locales get more sun than Germany, a current world leader
in solar power. Just off the Oregon Coast lies one of the world’s best potential sites for wave power; Oregon State University is a leading research center on this new technology.