The U.S. state of Oregon is the third largest renewable energy producing state in the United States. Hydroelectric power dominates the power market in Oregon, providing nearly two-thirds of the electricity generated in the state, although it accounts for only 38.91% of the total percentage consumed when electricity imported from other states is accounted for. Natural gas is the second largest source of energy consumption in Oregon, that being one third of Oregon's net power generation. This is mostly due to recent reserves of natural gas being found in Coos Bay, OR. As well as persistent extraction from the Mist Field in northwest Oregon, near Astoria. The energy used in Oregon comes mainly from hydroelectric power at 38.91%, coal at 26.47%, natural gas at 21.50%, and wind at 7.01%.
Electricity
The following table uses official statistics from the Oregon Department of Energy to show Oregon's changing electric fuel mix:
| Year | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2005 | 2006-08 | 2009-11 | 2010-12 | 2012-14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydro (%) | 38 | 43 | 44 | 42 | 44 | 43 | 45 | 43 |
| Coal (%) | 39 | 42 | 42 | 41 | 37 | 34 | 33 | 34 |
| Natural Gas (%) | 15 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
| Nuclear (%) | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Wind/Geothermal (%) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Biomass (%) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0.3 |
| Total (%) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Renewable energy
The Oregon Renewable Energy Act was signed into law in 2007. It mandated that at least 20% of all energy resources comes from renewable resources by 2020, and it raises the standard to 25% by 2025.
On March 8, 2016, Gov. Kate Brown signed the Clean Energy and Coal Transition Act into law. This new law mandates increases in renewable energy resources to 27% by 2025, 35% by 2030, 45% by 2035, and 50% by 2040. Under terms of the legislation, Oregonians will no longer pay for any energy from coal by 2035.
See also
- Trojan Nuclear Power Plant, Oregon's only nuclear power plant in service 1970 to 1992
- List of power stations in Oregon
- Wind power in Oregon
- Solar power in Oregon
- Energy in the United States
References
- Staff (2010). "Oregon". United States Department of Energy. Archived from the original on 2010-04-22. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
- Energy Information Administration (2010-04-29). "State Energy Profiles - Oregon". United States Department of Energy. Archived from the original on 2010-05-02. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
- ^ "State of Oregon: Energy in Oregon - Electricity Mix in Oregon". www.oregon.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
- "State profile and energy Analysis". U.S. Energy Information Administration. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, February 2017
- Oregon Office of Energy (December 2002). "State of Oregon Energy Plan 2003-2005" (PDF). Oregon Department of Energy. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
- Oregon Office of Energy (December 2004). "Oregon Strategy for Greenhouse Gas Reductions" (PDF). State of Oregon. p. B-5. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- Oregon Office of Energy (January 2005). "State of Oregon Energy Plan 2005-2007" (PDF). Oregon Department of Energy. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
- Oregon Office of Energy (March 2008). "State of Oregon Energy Plan 2007-2009" (PDF). Oregon Department of Energy. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
- "State of Oregon Energy Plan 2011-2013" (PDF). Oregon Department of Energy. February 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
- "2013-2015 Biennial Energy Plan" (PDF). Oregon Department of Energy. Retrieved 2017-08-03.
- "2015-2017 Biennial Energy Plan" (PDF). Oregon Department of Energy. Retrieved 2017-08-03.
- "Electricity Mix in Oregon". Oregon Department of Energy. Retrieved 2017-08-03.
- ^ "Oregon Legislature sets new renewable energy standards". Portland General Electric. March 2, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- "Oregon House Passes Renewable Energy Standard With Broad, Bipartisan Support". Cleanergy. May 23, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- Theriault, Dennis (March 10, 2016). "Kate Brown has signed Oregon's historic, contentious anti-coal bill". The Oregonian/Oregon Live. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- "Oregon Passes Historic Bill to Phase Out Coal and Double Down on Renewables". EcoWatch. March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.