The Oregon House of Representatives on Monday voted 39-20 in favor of legislation requiring the elimination of coal-fired power generation from the state energy mix. The bill specifically states that “on or before January 1, 2030, an electric company shall eliminate coal-fired resources from its allocation of electricity.” Currently, there is only one coal-fired power plant in Oregon. That plant is scheduled to be closed in 2020.
“This is a balanced plan that achieves Oregon’s goal of reducing our state’s carbon footprint and eliminates our reliance on coal,” Rep. Jessica Vega Pederson (D-Portland), chair of the House Committee on Energy and Environment, said in a press release. “HB 4036 is hugely important step in reducing carbon emissions in our state and will again place Oregon among states leading the way in clean, renewable energy.”
The bill has been passed to the Senate, where it is scheduled to come before the upper chamber’s Committee on Business and Transportation on Feb. 22.
