By
Melissa Powers, GEI Director and Jeffrey Bain Faculty Scholar and Professor of
Law, Lewis & Clark Law School
Ten
years ago, Oregon began to position itself as a leader in climate change and
energy policy. Governor Ted Kulongoski recognized the economic potential in
renewable energy and he sought to establish Oregon as an epicenter for clean
energy technology and business. He persuaded several international energy
companies, including Iberdrola Renewables, Vestas, and SolarWorld, to make
Oregon their U.S. headquarters. He also encouraged the Oregon Legislature to
adopt a series of policies that aimed to advance the state’s climate and clean
energy leadership. In relatively short order, Oregon became one of the leading
developers of wind energy and one of the top states for clean energy
employment. For a short time, it seemed that Oregon could become a clean energy
powerhouse that would profit from in-state renewable energy development and
from exporting innovative technologies, renewable energy, and expertise to
other states.
Today,
however, Oregon’s climate and clean energy progress has stalled. Only one small
new wind farm has come online in Oregon since 2012, our wave energy industry is
limping along, and we are on track to greatly exceed our greenhouse gas
emissions goals. Our growing solar energy industry is at risk due to the
pending expiration of existing incentives and changes to key solar programs.
Unless we change course, by creating an administrative framework to guide and
implement our climate and energy policies, we will cede our leadership to other
states.
Thanks
to the work of state and local lawmakers, agency employees, renewable energy
industries, clean energy advocates, and the public at large, Oregon has a
number of clean energy and climate policies in place. However, under our
existing system, agencies implement specific policies on a piecemeal basis, and
no single agency has responsibility for developing a bigger-picture strategy or
ensuring that agencies coordinate their activities. This piecemeal approach is
inefficient and often ineffective. For Oregon to regain its status as a clean
energy powerhouse, we need an administrative structure that is capable of
guiding Oregon through an ever-changing technical, economic, and political
landscape.
Some
lawmakers have begun to recognize the importance of effective policy
administration. The legislature considered, but ultimately failed to pass, HB
2020, a bill that would have turned Oregon’s Department of Energy into the
Department of Energy and Climate (ODEC). This reconfigured agency would have
been responsible for developing a comprehensive climate and energy strategy for
the state. It would also have coordinated the activities of the dozen state
agencies involved in administering Oregon’s climate and energy laws. Finally,
HB 2020 would have created a board to oversee ODEC’s work and provide ODEC with
additional expert resources and insight. In short, HB 2020 would have created a
long overdue administrative framework to ensure that Oregon’s many climate and
energy policies work as expected. Although HB 2020 was not perfect, its passage
was necessary for Oregon to regain and retain its status as a clean energy and
climate leader. Its adoption would have benefitted all Oregonians through
improved governance and economic returns. Let’s hope that Oregon’s lawmakers
focus on passing HB 2020 or a bill like it during the next legislative session.
