7 results for tag: renew oregon

Making Oregon a Clean Energy Leader: Renew Oregon

It's an exciting time for those who care about cleaner energy and healthier communities. In 2016 OEC took major initiative to make Oregon a leader in transitioning from dirty, polluting energy to a clean energy economy: we helped found Renew Oregon. Renew Oregon is the most powerful coalition ever assembled in our state to fight for climate protection. Thanks to the continued support of our members, we are helping steer the Renew Oregon campaign to climate victory, starting with the passage of the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition Act, a first-of-its-kind law to transition off of polluting coal-fired power while simultaneously DOUBLING the ...

Going Coal-Free for a Cooler Oregon

Oregon Environmental Council played a leading role in passing historic legislation in 2016 to transition our state off of coal-fired power and increase our renewable portfolio standard. Through the passage of the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition bill, Oregon became the first state EVER to take legislative action to go coal-free and, once fully implemented, will have one of the cleanest electricity mixes in the WORLD. But how exactly does this bill work? What role do the utilities play? Will our rates be affected? And how exactly will this bill pressure coal plants to close? These questions were recently addressed in a webinar for our ...

Governor Kate Brown Acknowledges OEC Work in State of the State Address

On Friday Governor Kate Brown delivered her second State of the State address. During her broad-ranging address, she provided a snapshot of accomplishments from the past 14 months, including a great deal of environmental progress ushered in during this time. Drawing on the legacy of Governor Tom McCall and the landmark land-use planning laws OEC helped bring to fruition, she declared: "these first-ever achievements over the past 14-months would have made Governor McCall very proud." McCall is not the only one who would be, or should be, proud. Governor Brown recognized three environmental achievements that will be key in helping protect ...

Goodbye Coal, Hello Clean Energy

Today is an exciting day for clean energy! Oregon just became the first state EVER to pass legislation to transition off of coal-fired power. This is the first major victory for renewable energy following the Paris climate talks. The fact that coal makes up 30 percent of Oregon’s energy mix is not widely known. Throughout this process we’ve had conversations with Oregonians from all across the state, many of whom were surprised and disheartened to learn that Oregon ratepayers continue to pay for coal electricity and most of it coming from burning coal out of state. But now, thanks to the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition bill, Oregon will ...

From Paris, France to Prineville, OR: Collaboration Matters

This weekend, nearly all the nations in the world agreed to actions to avoid the most dangerous impacts of climate change. We in Oregon believe we should do our fair share to reduce emissions. That's why we've had an historic agreement to work with neighboring states to amp up our clean energy economy, create a clean fuels corridor, and limit and price climate pollution. We want Oregon to be the early bird that catches the worm--acting quickly helps us set the curve and reap enormous benefits--cleaner air, more economic opportunities for Oregon workers and businesses, and a stable climate for our natural resource-based state. We've worked with ...

Building a Renewed Oregon: A Conversation with Thomas Wheatley

Renew Oregon is many things–an education campaign, a place for like minded Oregonians to come together–but ultimately Renew is a group of people who want a clean energy future for the state we love. As the Climate Communications & Outreach Manager for Oregon Environmental Council, I work closely with the Renew Oregon team. The team is aflutter with activity–whether they’re live-tweeting hearings in Salem, meeting with businesses and individuals who support a new direction for the state, or interviewing Oregonians to learn why they care about climate action–Renew Oregon is busy building a movement. It’s an inspiring thing to ...

It’s Time to Renew Oregon

There is no bigger fight than the one we’re waging for the future of the climate. We already feel the effects of extreme storms, drought and record-breaking wildfires. We’re the last generation that can do anything to reverse it. Passionate Oregonians are fighting this battle right now. The opposition is powerful and entrenched: Huge oil and coal corporations who put profits ahead of people. Only a concentrated campaign, built to a massive scale, with all of us rallying together can overcome their opposition. That's why, at OEC, we're so excited to announce that Renew Oregon launches today! It will be the most powerful coalition ever ...