The draft Oregon Energy Strategy was released for public comment in August. It identifies five overarching pathways further defined by 16 policies that guide 42 legislative and policy actions. The five pathways are:
- Energy efficiency
- Electrification
- Clean electricity
- Low-carbon fuels
- Resilience
At a high level, these pathways make sense. It doesn't take an energy expert to realize electric power infrastructure plays a major role in the energy strategy. From my perspective as an electric distribution cooperative CEO, the Oregon Energy Strategy has some significant gaps that concern me.
Hydropower receives little more than a mention as a clean energy source, supplying one-third of Oregon's electricity. The federal Columbia River power system is even acknowledged as the major source of Oregon's hydropower. Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative gets about 85% of its electricity from the federal Columbia River power system. I expect the Oregon Energy Strategy to include strong language to preserve and protect this incredibly valuable, clean, renewable, reliable and economic electric energy resource. Instead, Gov. Tina Kotek continues to support efforts that minimize the value of the FCRPS and support breaching the lower Snake River dams.
The strategy mentions advancing technologies will increase demand for electricity. However, it fails to characterize the magnitude of that growing demand. In July, the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee released its latest 10-year electricity forecast, which showed a 30% increase in demand over the coming decade. Meeting this growing demand is one of the biggest challenges facing the Pacific Northwest. Load growth of this size cannot be met with variable wind and solar generation. Baseload natural gas electricity generation and advanced nuclear power technologies must be developed to meet growing electricity needs while advanced nuclear power technologies mature and become a part of the future carbon-free energy mix.
I'm glad the strategy addresses the need to bolster the electric transmission and distribution grids. With the strategy's strong emphasis to reduce carbon emissions by electrifying heating and transportation, we need to ensure the electric grid is reinforced to meet the growing electricity demand.
Oregon's energy strategy will guide energy use and resource development in the coming decade and beyond. It is critical Oregon gets it right. In conjunction with our statewide rural electric cooperative association, CCEC will continue to engage with policymakers to ensure we can provide you with the clean, reliable and affordable electric energy that powers your life.
Brent Bischoff