Oregon Wind Top 10 in Reducing Pollution

New Report: Wind power in Oregon prevents as much global warming pollution as taking 550,000 cars off the road each year

Environment Oregon

PORTLAND, OR—Today Environment Oregon released a new Environment Oregon Research and Policy Center report, Wind Power for a Cleaner America and urged Oregon leaders in Congress and the state legislature to continue supporting clean energy investment that reduces pollution and creates jobs.

According to the new report, wind power in Oregon prevents as much global warming pollution as taking 550,000 cars off the road each year. Environment Oregon was joined by State Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward (D-17)—whose district houses the world’s largest wind company, Vestas—the Oregon Citizen’s Utility Board, and Oregon Community Wind.

“Companies like Vestas and Ibedrola are investing in the future of our state,” said Sen. Steiner Hayward. “Thanks to federal tax incentives and Oregon’s renewable portfolio standard, we can continue to be a leader in clean energy.”

According to the report, wind energy’s success in Oregon in reducing air pollution will continue to grow if policies such as tax incentives and renewable electricity standards are continued and expanded at the state and federal level. Failure to extend the Production Tax Credit, extended by Congress earlier this month, would have resulted in the estimated loss of 37,000 jobs and $10 billion in investments nationwide.

“It’s time to move Oregon past dirty energy,” said Environment Oregon Field Organizer, Charlie Fisher. “Despite strong opposition from the fossil fuel industry, standing together as environmentalists, consumer advocates, and Oregon businesses with our elected officials in Salem and in DC, we can continue making landmark progress to repower the state.”

Citizens Utility Board organizing director, Jeff Bissonette, emphasized that clean energy is in the long term interest of Oregon ratepayers. Oregon Community Wind co-founder, Kirk Slack, highlighted how innovative businesses like his benefit from government support and create Oregon jobs.

Full Report: http://environmentoregon.org/reports/ore/wind-power-cleaner-america