In 2021, Oregon committed to delivering 100% clean electricity by 2040. Yet progress has been slow, and utilities aren’t on track to meet the first 2030 milestone. While rising costs, wildfire risks and load growth have taken center stage, decarbonization must not fall by the wayside – especially when it could help address some of these very challenges.
Oregonians have faced steep electricity rate hikes, largely due to inadequate infrastructure. Delayed investments in generation and transmission have tightened supply, driving up costs. A stronger, cleaner grid is the solution — but it will require building new infrastructure.
Expanding renewable energy within Oregon is vital, but we also need strong regional coordination. When local weather patterns threaten grid reliability, tapping into clean energy resources across the West helps maintain reliability and keep costs down. Achieving this, however, depends on significant investment in transmission infrastructure. Unfortunately, even modest upgrades, like Portland General Electric’s recent proposal in Forest Park, face strong local resistance – despite using existing corridors to minimize environmental impact…