Oregon Clean Electricity and Coal Transition Plan Becomes Law

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News Release

PacifiCorp

Governor signs bill that moves Pacific Power customers off coal in Oregon by 2030 and increases renewable power to 50 percent by 2040

Pacific Power customers will be getting half of their electricity from renewable resources by 2040 under a bill Governor Kate Brown today signed into law. The law also sets firm timelines for Pacific Power to eliminate coal-fired generation from its Oregon customers’ energy mix no later than 2030.

Pacific Power worked to develop the legislation as an alternative to more costly and less effective ballot measures that were proposed for the November 2016 ballot. Ballot measure proponents agreed to drop those measures if legislation was passed. Pacific Power analysis indicated those proposed ballot measures could have cost Oregon customers up to $600 million more than this legislation.

“Our company has been reducing reliance on coal generation and expanding our renewable energy portfolio for the past10 years as market forces, regulation and evolving customer preference continue to drive change in the way electricity is generated and delivered,” stated Stefan Bird, President and CEO of Pacific Power. “This landmark legislation allows us to effectively manage Oregon’s transition to a clean energy future in a manner that protects customers from cost impacts, ensures grid reliability and allows us to meet all of our responsibilities to the communities we serve.”