Posted on 03/12/2016 4:42:56 AM PST by HomerBohn
With the stroke of Gov. Kate Brown's signature Friday, Oregon became the first state to eradicate coal from its power supply through legislation and now boasts some of the most stringent demands for renewable energy among its state peers.
The new law will wipe out coal-generated energy in phases through 2030 and requires utilities to provide half of customers' power with renewable sources by 2040, doubling the state's previous standard.
"Oregon is known to be a leader in clean-energy programs, investing in energy efficiency and recognizing the risk of climate change," said Brown, who signed the measure surrounded by students at a Portland elementary school that's powered by solar panels.
Environmental experts and advocates say the law's coal phase-out component is precedent-setting for lawmakers considering similar moves in their own states, although Hawaii and Vermont have long-standing histories of running coal-free.
The renewables portion thrusts Oregon to the top ranks of a handful of other states that have renewable mandates of 50 percent or more. Hawaii, for instance, has a 100-percent requirement by 2045 while Massachusetts has 1-percent annual increase indefinitely, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Coal and renewables are among the key talking points that drive the national debate over climate change, which is a top agenda item for Democrats and the party's presidential campaigns this year. Oregon's new law also aligns with some of President Obama's statements on the topic over the years.
"We've got to accelerate the transition away from old, dirtier energy sources. Rather than subsidize the past, we should invest in the future — especially in communities that rely on fossil fuels," Obama said during his final State of the Union address in January.
But Democrats' efforts for tighter regulations on the energy industry are at odds with Republicans who are trying to block Obama's Clean Power Plan in court.
Even for progressive Oregon, the new anti-coal law — a negotiated deal between the state's utilities and environmentalists — wasn't an easy pass.
Oregon GOP lawmakers, the minority party in both statehouse chambers, went to great lengths to stop the measure with tactics that slowed down the entire legislative process. The GOP raised concerns about cost increases to consumers' energy bills and questioned whether the environmental benefits were overstated.
"Today, Gov. Brown gave her stamp of approval to a new renewable energy mandate that will cost residential electricity customers in Oregon $190 more each year until 2040," Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli, among the law's most outspoken opponents, said Friday.
He argued the law "lines the pockets of the green energy industry at the expense of working Oregonians who get nothing in return."
Your feckless, Obama-loving, leftist governor has got Oregon's demise all laid out. She's following Obomba's lead in increasing costs AND taxes.
The plan is to force something on the American people whether they want it or not. If you don't accept the ideas of these mentally insane people, they will take away your choices to act otherwise. Jobs will be lost, energy prices will go up, and the American people will lose.
Fascism controls industry through laws and regulations
“Turn out the lights,
the party’s over.”
Liberalism is a mental disorder.
As for Oregon, they are behind Texas on renewables.
Oregon was
If they keep pushing this 'green energy' scheme, there won't be a need to turn out the lights.
They'll go out all on their own.
How about the simple fact that government does not have the right to assume control of private assets. And states do not have the power to limit or control interstate commerce.
This law does both. In stating that by 2040 half of electric power must be from renewable resources the state is limiting the value of electric utility assets that generate electric power by fossil fuels. Because fossil generating station will be relegated to lesser rolls in generation they will be of less value.
This falls in to the takings clause of the fifth amendment.
Ajoining states should consider funneling power to Oregon under Oregon’s rules. I wonder if what Oregon is doing violates interstate commerce ?
No, oregon will be known as a worthless third world state with its people and economy suffering because they cannot get good, reliable electricity.
Is it coal or all fossil fuels? Natural Gas Cogen plants are the cleanest and most efficient plants available
‘Leader’ is a horribly overused and misused word by leftists.
Flattering oneself is not leading. Making stupid decisions is not leading. And, crucially, if nobody follows you voluntarily you are, by definition, not leading.
I wonder if the law also has a provision that prevents Oregon citizens from buying power generated from coal other states?
Oregon not first state to eliminate coal as a fuel for electricity generation. California adopted policies to eliminate coal by 2030 some years ago.
But Renewable Energy Credits (RECS) can be purchased which include coal power.
RECSs are an even bigger hoax than the Anthropogenic Global Warming hoax.
First glance I thought it read “coal-generated energy in phones.” Guess my phone will have to go nuke then.
So for Oregon I suppose it will be “Frack, baby, frack!”
This is a great plan. Now Oregon should be forcibly uncoupled from the interconnected grid. That way, any time their demand for energy outstrips their ability to provide it, they won’t be able to dip into the available pool that’s been contaminated by the “dirty” coal generated facilities. Oregonians should have to bear the full costs of their advocacy.
They should cut the power now. Let those stupid ignorant weenies shiver in the cold aftermath of their foolish ideas.
No surprise from a state that has declared it owns the rainwater as well.
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