Oregon Governor Lays Out Renewable Energy Agenda for 2009 Legislature
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski introduced ten bills addressing energy and climate issues for the state legislature's 2009 session, which opened January 12. They include:
Senate Bill 80 would authorize Oregon's participation in the greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program being developed by the Western Climate Initiative, of which Oregon is a founding member. The bill would put a cap-and-trade program into effect in Oregon in 2012.
House Bill 2180 would establish an Oregon Renewable Energy Fund to help finance smaller renewable energy projects than currently can benefit significantly from the business energy tax credit. Financing of smaller-scale energy projects has frustrated many renewable energy policymakers nationwide; hopefully the Governor's approach will be more successful than past efforts.
House Bill 2181 would allow municipal and county governments to use their bonding authority to fund energy efficiency projects. The goal of the bill is to enable homeowners to participate in energy efficiency improvements by being able to pay for the upgrades over time.
Senate Bill 79 would create an energy efficiency rating system for new and remodeled building systems by the end of 2010, with the hope that the market advantage of an energy efficient building will spur accelerated efforts by building owners to improve energy efficiency.
Senate Bill 101 would require any new energy facility in the state to have greenhouse gas emissions at least as clean as natural gas.
Check back later for a discussion of the Governor's other five proposals.
Post authored by David J. Peterson, partner practicing in the Sustainability and Real Estate and Land Use Practice Groups.
