New Oregon RPS raises use of renewables to 50 percent by 2040

The state of Oregon approved a measure on Tuesday to raise the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 50 percent renewables by 2040.

The new standard puts Oregon on track to meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals, which call for reducing emissions by 75 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Two major power providers, Portland General Electric and Pacific Power, will now generate 50 percent of their power from renewables by 2040, up from the current 25 percent by 2025.

The new standard was met with praise by various wind power companies and organizations, including the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

“With this new law in place Oregon joins the exclusive 50 percent renewable energy club,” Mike Garland, chairman of the AWEA, said. “The U.S. wind energy industry applauds these commonsense, ‘no-regrets’ state laws spurring added economic investment, job creation, and consumer savings. These states are well ahead of the curve as new market drivers and state-federal policies point in the direction of a cleaner electric grid.”

Oregon joins Hawaii, California and Vermont as the only states with renewable energy policies that calls for 50 percent renewable use. Currently, enough renewable energy is used to power more than 700,000 Oregon homes. This spike in renewable use has resulted in approximately $10 billion in investments in the state and more than 5,000 jobs, contributing more than $150 million in state and local revenues.