Governor Hosts Summit on Oregon's Energy Future

Statement

Governor Hosts Summit on Oregon's Energy Future

Governor announces creation of new energy policy council to guide Oregon's energy future

Today at a Summit on Oregon's Energy Future, Governor Ted Kulongoski brought together leaders from the business community, energy suppliers, consumer advocates, environmental community, labor and economists to provide their perspectives on Oregon's short-term energy needs and options for meeting those needs at an affordable cost as the state transitions to a renewable energy economy.

"Oregon is recognized as a national leader on the issue of renewable energy and energy conservation and must continue down this path," the Governor said. "What we need is a plan that bridges the gap between the status quo - which is no longer acceptable - and freedom from carbon, which is not yet attainable."

The Governor called the Summit to expand the dialogue with the citizens of Oregon about creating an energy future that continues to move the state toward clean, renewable energy while also addressing the immediate issues of price stability and certainty for Oregon families and businesses.

"Energy - where it comes from, how we use it, how much we pay for it, and how we make the transition to an independent renewable energy future - will define us for generations to come," the Governor said. "The purpose of today is to bring a diverse group of Oregonians together to speak openly, disagree respectfully and work collaboratively to chart a short-term strategy while we advance our long-term vision toward an energy independent Oregon."

Whether it is demand from a growing economy or growing population, Oregon's energy needs are expected to increase. Oregon has charted a course to meet future demand with renewable energy, aggressive conservation strategies and increased efficiency. However it will take time to implement fully Oregon's green, more efficient energy plan and invest in the energy infrastructure needed to incorporate renewable energy into the grid.

"The challenge before Oregon and the nation is: how do we provide energy stability and certainty, at an affordable cost for families and businesses, as we transition to a clean and energy independent economy?" the Governor continued. "The second question that we need to think about is: what do we need to do to foster an ongoing dialogue about energy that will continue long past today?"

After the all-day summit, where panelists provided their perspectives on the current energy challenges facing the state and immediate and long-term energy needs, the Governor concluded that the state needs a new process to develop state energy policy.

"In the days and weeks ahead, we need to continue the same openness, candor and fact-based conversations about energy, the environment and our economy that were on display at this Summit," the Governor said. "We need a vehicle to organize the competing ideas about energy in a way that is transparent, science-based, protects the economy, keeps the public well informed and is both fair - and perceived to be fair."

The Governor announced his intention to create an Oregon Planning and Energy Council through Executive Order in the coming months. The Council will meet and report regularly to the Governor and Legislature with recommendations for legislative and budgetary needs to secure Oregon's energy future.

"We don't need a big bureaucracy, but we do need a structure that is visionary, takes account of new facts and technology and brings the public along every step of the way," the Governor said. "This won't be easy, but finding both a short-term strategy and long-term solutions for the problems of demand, supply, cost and the environment are too important to wait - and too important not to look for common ground."

The group will be charged with: 1) providing the Governor and Legislature analysis on energy forecasting, transmission, price stability, renewable energy, alternative energy sources and energy efficiency; 2) develop comprehensive immediate, intermediate, and long-term plans for meeting the State's energy needs; 3) conduct an ongoing review of the State's anticipated energy needs and energy supply, and make recommendations for bridging any potential gaps; 4) identify challenges to addressing the immediate issues of price stability and energy supply certainty for Oregon families and businesses; and 5) advise the Governor and Legislature on the emissions and environmental impacts of recommended energy strategies.

"Finding our way to a clean and renewable energy future is about much more than measuring carbon emissions and building more transmission infrastructure," the Governor closed. "It is a test of our character, our wisdom and our willingness to leave to our posterity an even better Oregon than was left to us."

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