http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/western-states-take-giant-step-forward-in-fight-against-global-warming The Western Climate Initiative (WCI) today unveiled their final design for a http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/western-states-take-giant-step-forward-in-fight-against-global-warming Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:32:29 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/oregon-senate-passes-energy-efficiency-measure Salem--The http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/oregon-senate-passes-energy-efficiency-measure Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:11:32 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/oregon-house-passes-energy-efficiency-bill Salem--The Oregon House of Representatives voted 42 to 9 today in favor of a bill to require certain appliances to meet minimum energy efficiency standards. SB 375 would require manufacturers of six appliances -- including DVD players, audio products, and hot tubs -- to ensure that their products use less energy. "Energy efficiency is the cheapest and fastest way to cut our dependence on fossil fuels and cut global warming pollution," said Jeremiah Baumann, an advocate for Environment Oregon. The bill will save enough electricity by 2020 to power 10,000 Oregon households. It has already passed the Senate, but the House added several amendments, so the Senate must vote one more time before the bill goes to the Governor's desk. http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/oregon-house-passes-energy-efficiency-bill Mon, 11 Jun 2007 21:21:20 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/new-oregon-energy-law-means-state-requirements-deliver-enough-renewable-electricity-for-30-million-households State energy laws will cut the equivalent of 19 million cars' global warming pollution Salem, Ore.—Oregon http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/new-oregon-energy-law-means-state-requirements-deliver-enough-renewable-electricity-for-30-million-households Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:22:05 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/oregon-senate-passes-solar-energy-e-waste-bills http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/oregon-senate-passes-solar-energy-e-waste-bills Tue, 29 May 2007 15:15:12 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/oregon-senate-sends-renewable-energy-standard-bottle-bill-to-governor Salem--The Oregon Senate voted to pass two landmark pieces of environmental legislation this morning. An energy bill requiring utilities to generate 25% of their energy from renewable sources by 2025, and an expansion of the Bottle Bill, had both passed the House and are now on their way to the Governor's desk to be signed and enacted. "The 25% Renewable Energy Standard is a historic move toward energy independence and a clean environment, and the Bottle Bill is Oregon's landmark recycling program," said Environment Oregon's Jeremiah Baumann. The Renewable Energy Standard has been widely hailed as one of the most aggressive renewable energy development policies in the country. The bill is expected to make Oregon a leader in renewable energy, cut global warming pollution, and boost economies in rural communities where renewable energy development is taking place. The Bottle Bill is Oregon's first-in-the-nation bill, first created in 1971 to cut littering and increase recycling by putting a refundable deposit on bottles and cans. But the bill has historically applies only to carbonated beverages. The bill passed by the Legislature adds water bottles and makes recycling easier for consumers by requiring grocery stores to take back any beverage containers, not just the brands they sell. http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/oregon-senate-sends-renewable-energy-standard-bottle-bill-to-governor Fri, 25 May 2007 18:52:48 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/oregon-house-approves-25-renewable-energy-standard http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/oregon-house-approves-25-renewable-energy-standard Thu, 24 May 2007 10:13:11 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/house-committee-endorses-renewable-energy-standard As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. Salem—The committee on Energy and the Environment in the Oregon House of Representiatves voted Monday in favor of a bill to require Oregon utilities to get 25% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. The bill, backed by a broad coalition of environmentalists, business leaders, consumer advocates, labor unions, and farmers and county officials from rural parts of the state, is a top priority of Governor Ted Kulongoski. “Renewable energy will let Oregonians take control of our energy future as we cut global warming pollution and boost rural economies,” said Jeremiah Baumann, an environmental advocate for OSPIRG. “The committee’s endorsement brings Oregon one step closer to nationwide leadership in renewable energy.” The bill, SB 838, sets a standard for utilities of 5% renewable by 2011, which climbs gradually to 25% by 2025. Oregon has a unique abundance of renewable energy resources. Areas around the Columbia Gorge and in northeastern Oregon have high wind potential, the Oregon Coast ahs among the best wave energy sites in the world, and even Oregon’s rainiest areas get more sun than Germany, a world leader in solar power. Opposition to the bill was led by Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities, a lobby group with members including Weyerhaeuser and Intel, whose lobbyists also worked against the bill. The companies’ lobbyists argued that the bill could raise energy rates, even though the bill contains cost caps and other tools for avoiding high prices for renewable energy. Advocates point out that renewable energy stabilizes rates because there are no fuel costs for solar and wind power, and that utilities in Washington and Colorado have acquired wind energy at lower costs than fossil fuel sources. http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/house-committee-endorses-renewable-energy-standard Wed, 16 May 2007 08:27:23 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/oregon-senate-endorses-renewable-energy-standard-with-strong-bipartisan-majority As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. Salem—The state Senate voted 20 to 10 in favor of a bill to require Oregon utilities to get 25% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. The bill, backed by a broad coalition of environmentalists, business leaders, consumer advocates, labor unions, and farmers and county officials from rural parts of the state, is a top priority of Governor Ted Kulongoski. “The strong bipartisan support in the Senate reflects the widespread support from across Oregon for the notion that Oregon should be a leader in renewable energy,” said Environment Oregon’s Jeremiah Baumann. “Renewable energy will let Oregonians take control of our energy future as we cut global warming pollution and boost rural economies.” The bill, Senate Bill 838, sets a standard for utilities of 5% renewable by 2011, which climbs gradually to 25% by 2025. Oregon has a unique abundance of renewable energy resources. Areas around the Columbia Gorge and in northeastern Oregon have high wind potential, the Oregon Coast ahs among the best wave energy sites in the world, and even Oregon’s rainiest areas get more sun than Germany, a world leader in solar power. Opposition to the bill was led by Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities, a lobby group with members including Weyerhaeuser and Intel, whose lobbyists also worked against the bill. The companies’ lobbyists argued that the bill could raise energy rates, even though the bill contains cost caps and other tools for avoiding high prices for renewable energy. Advocates point out that renewable energy stabilizes rates because there are no fuel costs for solar and wind power, and that utilities in Washington and Colorado have acquired wind energy at lower costs than fossil fuel sources. The Senate debate was led by Senators Brad Avakian (D-Bethany), chair of the Senate committee on the Environment and Natural Resources and a lead sponsors of the bill, and Jason Atkinson (R-Grants Pass). The 20-10 vote included 17 of the 18 Democrats in the Senate, as well as 2 Republicans, Atkinson and Senator Bruce Starr of Hillsboro, and Avel Gordly, the independent Senator. http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/oregon-senate-endorses-renewable-energy-standard-with-strong-bipartisan-majority Wed, 16 May 2007 08:28:52 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/summer-heat-wave-makes-2006-the-warmest-on-record-through-july As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. Washington, http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/summer-heat-wave-makes-2006-the-warmest-on-record-through-july Wed, 16 May 2007 08:25:30 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/bonnie-raitt-donates-concert-tickets-to-benefit-ospirg-foundations-clean-energy-program-tickets-to-sold-out-mcmenamins-edgefield-concert-to-support-oregon-group As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. PORTLAND—Singer, http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/bonnie-raitt-donates-concert-tickets-to-benefit-ospirg-foundations-clean-energy-program-tickets-to-sold-out-mcmenamins-edgefield-concert-to-support-oregon-group Wed, 16 May 2007 11:41:59 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/in-final-hours-legislature-expands-solar-eenergy-incentives As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. SALEM—As http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/in-final-hours-legislature-expands-solar-eenergy-incentives Fri, 18 May 2007 08:57:01 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/governor-to-sign-energy-efficiency-bill-second-global-warming-action-this-week As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. SALEM—The http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/governor-to-sign-energy-efficiency-bill-second-global-warming-action-this-week Fri, 18 May 2007 08:58:32 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/ospirg-statement-on-passage-of-dirty-dangerous-energy-bill As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. The U.S. Senate today passed http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/ospirg-statement-on-passage-of-dirty-dangerous-energy-bill Fri, 18 May 2007 08:59:33 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/u_s_-senate-fails-to-restore-state-authority-for-lng-terminal-siting As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. The U.S. Senate today rejected http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/u_s_-senate-fails-to-restore-state-authority-for-lng-terminal-siting Fri, 18 May 2007 09:03:53 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/legislature-sends-energy-efficiency-bill-to-governor As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. SALEM—The Oregon House http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/legislature-sends-energy-efficiency-bill-to-governor Fri, 18 May 2007 09:05:09 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/u_s_-senate-passes-clean-energy-standard As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. OSPIRG applauds Senators http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/u_s_-senate-passes-clean-energy-standard Fri, 18 May 2007 09:06:13 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/once-again-the-house-passes-disastrous-energy-bill As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. Today, the U.S. House passed http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/once-again-the-house-passes-disastrous-energy-bill Fri, 18 May 2007 09:08:39 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/investing-in-clean-energy-would-create-almost-7000-new-jobs-and-save-oregon-consumers-more-than-240-million As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. PORTLAND—Investing http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/investing-in-clean-energy-would-create-almost-7000-new-jobs-and-save-oregon-consumers-more-than-240-million Fri, 18 May 2007 09:09:43 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/consumers-pay-the-price-for-shortsighted-gas-policies-the-bush-administration-fails-to-reduce-americas-oil-dependence As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. PORTLAND—Oregon consumers http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/consumers-pay-the-price-for-shortsighted-gas-policies-the-bush-administration-fails-to-reduce-americas-oil-dependence Fri, 18 May 2007 09:14:06 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/senate-rejects-disastrous-energy-bill-senator-ron-wyden-opposes-bill As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. In what public interest http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/senate-rejects-disastrous-energy-bill-senator-ron-wyden-opposes-bill Fri, 18 May 2007 09:21:05 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environmental-groups-blast-senate-energy-bill-and-praise-oregon-wind-farms-as-example-of-good-energy-policy As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. MILTON FREEWATER—Clusters http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environmental-groups-blast-senate-energy-bill-and-praise-oregon-wind-farms-as-example-of-good-energy-policy Fri, 18 May 2007 09:22:34 -0500 http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/u_s_-senate-energy-bill-falls-short-of-moving-america-forward As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release. On a vote of http://www.environmentoregon.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/u_s_-senate-energy-bill-falls-short-of-moving-america-forward Fri, 18 May 2007 09:02:47 -0500