Cleaner Electricity Grid
Transitioning to electric vehicles is one of the most promising ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, if the electricity used to charge the vehicles has a low carbon intensity. Currently, Oregon has one of the "cleanest" electricity grids in the country, meaning emissions from electricity use are low.
Cleaner electricity grid: emissions reduction vision
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity used by transportation vehicles to at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
How Oregon is doing
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality requires different sectors of Oregon’s economy to report on their greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from electricity for transportation and all other uses is the second largest share of statewide emissions in Oregon (transportation is first.)
Oregon’s three largest electricity resources are hydropower, coal and natural gas. The state’s emissions from electricity are some of the lowest in the U.S., and many of Oregon’s smaller electric utilities are more than 95% emission-free. That means when vehicles are charged on those grids, there are almost no associated greenhouse gas emissions.
The Oregon Legislature passed a law in 2021 that sets aggressive emission-free electricity production goals for Oregon’s two largest utility providers. The law also provides a cushion for low income energy customers.
How Oregon can improve
The emissions reduction law discussed above provides a roadmap for net-zero carbon electricity use by 2040, ahead of the emission reduction vision. To realize the state’s emission reduction goals, Oregon needs to follow the new law’s solid framework to equitably reduce electricity demand and emissions.
The new law:
Bans expansion or new construction of power plants that burn natural gas or other fossil fuels.
Includes $50 million in grants for community renewable energy projects in cities other than Portland, which has its own fund for such projects.
Allows cities in Oregon to create “green tariffs,” where they agree to pay utilities more money for power from a cleaner mix of sources in order to meet their own climate goals.
Requires power companies to consider input from low-income ratepayers, environmental justice communities, Tribes and others as they develop strategies for reducing emissions.
Has built-in provisions to help keep costs down for low-income Oregonians.