Oregon Governor Signs Sweeping Executive Order to Accelerate Clean Energy Transition

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed an executive order yesterday that targets transportation and building emissions, strengthens grid reliability, and addresses energy affordability.

Oregon Carbon Pollution And Clean Energy Transition Executive Order

Governor Kotek noted that Oregon faces escalating climate impacts, from record wildfires to extreme weather events that hit vulnerable communities hardest, and- at the same time, the state must continue to make progress on carbon pollution reduction goals and support reliable, affordable clean energy.

To increase the pace and scale of Oregon’s response to reducing carbon pollution while strengthening grid reliability and energy affordability, Governor Kotek signed Executive Order 25-29 yesterday.

The order outlines the state’s actions to reduce emissions through strategic electrification, efficiency improvements, and deployment of clean energy infrastructure that simultaneously fight climate change, strengthen grid reliability, and deliver more affordable energy for communities across Oregon.

Executive Order 25-29 seeks to advance the implementation of the Oregon Energy Strategy by ensuring that executive branch agencies, the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) and the Public Utility Commission (PUC), adopt and implement greenhouse gas reduction strategies and coordinate decisions, activities, and investments to advance the five least-cost pathways identified in the ODOE’s Energy Strategy, complementing Executive Order 25-25.

Agencies must also modify or add to current work plans and performance indicators to track and report on implementation activities aimed at achieving the directive. The goal is to:

• Get Clean Energy Projects Built, as agencies must now develop and implement a coordinated, proactive approach to streamline land-use and environmental reviews, siting and permitting, and interconnection processes for clean energy projects, energy storage, and associated infrastructure.
• Cultivate a Resilient, Clean Energy Economy by exploring and prioritizing public-private partnerships for clean energy technologies that support state priorities.
• Ensure Transparency and Accountability in Implementation, building on the transparency and accountability implementation structure established in Governor Kotek’s EO 25-26,