| Press Release |
|
|
 |
| March 10, 2006 |
|
Governor Kulongoski moving state government to 100-percent new renewable energy
Governor accelerates timeline to reach 100-percent renewable electricity by 2010 in state government
Salem—Governor Ted Kulongoski told the State Sustainability Board today that he has raised the bar in pursuit of using new renewable energy in Oregon, and that he has set a higher goal for electricity use by state government—by 2010, just four years from now, the Governor wants new renewable electricity to account for 100 percent of state government’s electrical needs.
If we can achieve this—and I believe we can—Oregon will represent the first state committed to achieving 100 percent renewable electricity-use in state government,” the Governor told the Board members in Salem.
Renewable electricity comes from wind generators, solar generators, biomass, geothermal sources, or other types of generation that do not rely on non-renewable fuels such as coal or natural gas.
To achieve his goal the Governor directed his staff, the Department of Administrative Services and Department of Energy to deliver a roadmap by July 2006 that includes the exploration of the following options:
- Developing one or more state renewable energy facilities – or partnering with a private developer to purchase the output of renewable energy.
- Participating in utility-renewable-energy purchase programs.
- Expanding the use of cost-effective solar energy in state buildings.
- Passing legislation that authorizes state agencies to develop renewable energy on state forests, state lands, state campuses and other state property.
In his State of the State address last month, the Governor laid out a vision for moving the entire state of Oregon forward toward energy independence, outlining three key strategies: promoting greater energy conservation and efficiency; enacting comprehensive biofuels and biomass policies; and establishing a renewable portfolio standard to ensure the state's utilities develop renewable electricity energy at a rate that will reach 25 percent by 2025.
“I believe the state must lead by example in its consumption of energy,” the Governor said. “It is not only good fiscal policy for the taxpayers, but it’s also sound policy that will contribute to protecting our environment and promoting economic development in Oregon’s sustainable industries.”
Oregon's energy policies are already among the most comprehensive and aggressive in the nation, the Governor said. Since the release of his Renewable Energy Action Plan in 2005, the state has made substantial progress in reducing its energy consumption and diversifying its energy sources. The Governor cited the following successes:
- State government energy savings. Oregon is on track to meeting the target of reducing energy consumption by 20 percent by 2010 (based on energy consumption in 2000).
- State government electricity sources. Oregon is on track to achieving an important goal in electricity consumption—that 25 percent of state government’s total electricity consumption will come from renewable energy sources by 2010. The plan calls for 100 percent by 2025, but the Governor’s wants to accelerate that timeline to 2010.
- State government use of alternative fuels. The state is on track to meet the Governor’s target of increasing the use of biodiesel in state cars by 25 percent and ethanol by 10 percent by 2010.
- State government use of hybrids and flex fuel cars. Over the past three years, the state has purchased or scheduled the purchase of more than 230 hybrids and more than 400 vehicles that run on ethanol, providing environmental benefits and thousands of dollars in savings to the state. That is the highest per capita rate of any state in the country, the Governor said.
Media Contacts:
Lonn Hoklin (503.378.6169)
Anna Richter Taylor (503.378.6496)
|
|
|
|
