2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 13 - Housing, Games, Environment
Chapter 469A - Renewable Portfolio Standards
Section 469A.210 - Goal for community-based renewable energy projects.
(1) The Legislative Assembly finds that community-based renewable energy projects, including but not limited to marine renewable energy resources that are either developed in accordance with the Territorial Sea Plan adopted pursuant to ORS 196.471 or located on structures adjacent to the coastal shorelands, are an essential element of this state’s energy future.
(2) For purposes related to the findings in subsection (1) of this section, by the year 2030, at least 10 percent of the aggregate electrical capacity of all electric companies that make sales of electricity to 25,000 or more retail electricity consumers in this state must be composed of electricity generated by one or both of the following sources:
(a) Small-scale renewable energy projects with a generating capacity of 20 megawatts or less that generate electricity utilizing a type of energy described in ORS 469A.025; or
(b) Facilities that generate electricity using biomass that also generate thermal energy for a secondary purpose.
(3) Regardless of the facility’s nameplate capacity, any single facility described in subsection (2)(b) of this section may be used to comply with the requirement specified in subsection (2) of this section for up to 20 megawatts of capacity. [2007 c.301 §24; 2010 c.68 §1; 2016 c.28 §14; 2017 c.452 §1; 2021 c.508 §37]
JOB IMPACT STUDY
Note: Sections 25 and 26, chapter 301, Oregon Laws 2007, provide:
Sec. 25. (1) The State Department of Energy shall periodically conduct a study to evaluate the impact of sections 1 to 24 of this 2007 Act [469A.005 to 469A.210] on jobs in this state. The study shall assess the number of new jobs created in the renewable energy sector in this state and the average wage rates and the provision of health care and other benefits for those jobs. In addition, the study shall investigate the extent to which workforce training opportunities are being provided to employees to prepare the employees for jobs in the renewable energy sector.
(2) The department shall conduct the first study under this section not later than two years after the effective date of this 2007 Act [June 6, 2007]. [2007 c.301 §25]
Sec. 26. Section 25 of this 2007 Act is repealed January 2, 2026. [2007 c.301 §26]
STUDY ON SMALL-SCALE
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS
Note: Sections 18 and 19, chapter 508, Oregon Laws 2021, provide:
Sec. 18. (1) The State Department of Energy shall convene a work group to examine opportunities to encourage development of small-scale and community-based renewable energy projects in this state that contribute to economic development and local energy resiliency. The work group shall include:
(a) One state representative appointed by the Speaker of the House;
(b) One senator appointed by the President of the Senate; and
(c) Individuals who represent:
(A) Renewable energy developers;
(B) Investor-owned electric utilities in this state;
(C) Consumer-owned utilities in this state;
(D) Electricity service suppliers;
(E) Residential, commercial and industrial rate payers;
(F) Cities and counties;
(G) Tribal governments;
(H) Business Oregon;
(I) The Department of Land Conservation and Development;
(J) The renewable energy workforce;
(K) Environmental justice communities;
(L) The Public Utility Commission;
(M) The Public Purpose Fund Administrator described in ORS 470.555; and
(N) The Bonneville Power Administration.
(2) The work group shall study and examine:
(a) Potential barriers to project development in both investor-owned and consumer-owned utility service territory, including land use, local and state utility regulations, transmission capacity, contracts or obligations under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.), implementation and costs or financing;
(b) Potential economic benefits of small-scale renewable energy projects;
(c) Potential contributions of small-scale renewable energy projects to local energy resiliency;
(d) Access and ownership opportunities for low-income communities, Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities, tribal communities and rural and coastal communities with limited infrastructure;
(e) Opportunities for diverse models of ownership by local governments, nonprofit organizations and cooperatives of community members;
(f) Potential rate impacts; and
(g) Potential legislation that could encourage development of small-scale and community-based renewable energy projects in this state.
(3) Members of the work group shall comply with requests from the State Department of Energy for data related to the work group’s study and work under this section.
(4) The State Department of Energy shall submit a report describing the current status and trends for small-scale and community-based renewable energy development in this state based on the findings made under subsection (2) of this section and may include recommendations to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to energy no later than September 30, 2022. [2021 c.508 §18]
Sec. 19. Section 18 of this 2021 Act is repealed on December 15, 2022. [2021 c.508 §19]
