Oregon State Senators Okay Renewable Energy Bill

Oregon State Senators Okay Renewable Energy Bill

PlanetArk US

13th April 2007

SAN FRANCISCO - Oregon state senators passed a bill on Tuesday to require electric utilities to make renewable energies such as wind, solar and wave power at least 25 percent of their power supplies by 2025.

The bill, passed on a 20-to-10 vote, now goes to an energy and environment committee in Oregon's House of Representatives.

It calls for utilities to add renewable energy in stages, beginning with 5 percent by 2011 and rising to 15 percent by 2015, 20 percent by 2020, and to the 25 percent standard five years later.

Smaller consumer-owned utilities would have to meet a 5 percent renewable supply target by 2025.

Renewable energy added after 1995, including hydroelectricity projects, would count toward Oregon's goal.

Oregon's neighboring states have adopted renewable energy laws, with California targeting 20 percent of supplies by 2010, Nevada 20 percent by 2015, and Washington state 15 percent in 2020. About half of the 50 states have set "renewable portfolio standards" that, depending on the state, are either guidelines or rules for the share of renewable power generation delivered to customers.

REUTERS NEWS SERVICE