pge, boardman, climate change

The authors argue that while Portland General Electric's work to transition its coal facility in Boardman, Ore., is a step in the right direction, its proposal to burn gas there doesn't meet the goal for a clean energy future.

(Brent Wojahn/2008)

Amy Hojnowski and Doug Moore

Earlier this year, Oregon made a momentous choice, cutting its ties with coal power and choosing a better path with clean, renewable energy like solar and wind. The historic Clean Electricity and Coal Transition Act passed because Oregonians overwhelmingly support expanding clean energy, reducing pollution, addressing the climate crisis and creating good jobs in our communities.

Our two largest utilities, Portland General Electric and Pacific Power, joined with climate, clean energy and consumer advocates to pass this law that continues Oregon's leadership on climate protection and clean energy job creation.

Unfortunately, PGE's recently proposed plan for addressing its energy needs does not meet the promise of a clean energy future. While the plan includes significant wind energy, it also calls for building a large, new gas-burning plant in Boardman -- potentially even larger than the one just built there. It would commit Oregon ratepayers to fossil fuels for more than 30 years.

With the federal government poised to move backward on climate and clean air protection, Oregon's leadership is more vital than ever. Oregon has the opportunity to move toward 100 percent clean energy, with PGE capitalizing on the state's abundant wind and sun to power as many as 400,000 homes pollution-free.

Oregon doesn't need a new gas plant. PGE's own analysis concluded that it can meet customers' power needs reliably and affordably by investing in renewable energy rather than dirty fossil fuels. Now is not the time to commit our state to fossil fuel infrastructure for decades.

Choosing fossil fuels would prevent Oregon from achieving its climate goals. It would saddle customers with decades of bills to pay off, as opposed to more flexible renewable commitments. And it would lock Oregon into using a fuel source with notoriously volatile prices - instead of free sunshine and wind. A gas plant is a bad deal for customers.

PGE customers choose to participate in its green energy programs in record numbers. The majority of Oregonians support transitioning to clean energy and back investments in renewable resources nearly two to one. Fortunately, clean energy is more affordable than ever. Solar and wind across our region are often cheaper than fossil fuels. In recent years, solar prices have fallen 80 percent and wind power prices by 60 percent, while battery storage research and technology is advancing rapidly.

Meanwhile, clean energy job growth is outpacing other areas of the Oregon economy. In the past five years, Oregon added nearly 5,000 clean energy jobs. If PGE chooses a renewable energy plan, it would create 700 clean energy jobs, as opposed to just 300 fossil fuel jobs with the proposed gas plant. Plus, revenue from wind power goes directly into the community. The mid-Columbia region alone has seen $2.5 billion in investment and $150 million in direct revenue.

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Oregon's energy future is at a crossroads. As we cut our ties with coal power, we can either invest in the preferred energy of the future, or stick customers with an expensive, climate damaging fossil fuel power plant for another generation. PGE has a powerful role to play in shaping what this future looks like, and we hope its decisions are guided by the values of its customers and the best interest of all Oregonians.

Amy Hojnowski is senior representative for the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign and Doug Moore is executive director of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. This piece was written in collaboration with Andrea Durbin, executive director of the Oregon Environmental Council, and David Van't Hof, Oregon director for Climate Solutions.