June 2020 Newsletter
Equity + Energy
Like many of you, the Oregon Department of Energy is reflecting on the events of the past month. Following the killing of George Floyd (and the many others who came before and after him) and the resulting nationwide demonstrations for racial justice, we must acknowledge the pervasive, systemic racism that continues to affect people and communities of color across the country.
As a government agency, we must do our part – and Oregon’s energy system is not immune to racial disparities. As we continue shaping our agency’s strategic plan this summer, we’ll work to develop a strong equity lens to guide us in our work so we intentionally integrate equity into decisions we make. The plan will include specific objectives and initiatives on diversity, equity, and inclusion so we can be held accountable. We will listen to the communities we serve, and we acknowledge that public participation in government has its own equity challenges – including a need to strengthen relationships and trust and address other barriers to participation.
We have hard work ahead and some tough questions to answer: Who are we serving and who is left out? Is our own agency and are our public advisory groups representative of the people we serve? What historic energy policies have created racial disparities and how do we address those? What energy issues are the highest priorities for historically underserved communities? What are the barriers to participating in energy discussions or accessing renewable energy or electric vehicles? Who is experiencing energy burden in Oregon, why is it happening, and what are some of the solutions? How can we lift up Black, Indigenous, and other people of color and other underrepresented groups?
Right now, we have more questions than answers. We are ready to listen and to put in the hard work, immediately and over the long-term, to make changes and to be part of the solution to move Oregon on a better path forward.
Shaping Our 2021-23 Agency Budget
At our June 29 Energy Advisory Work Group meeting, ODOE kicked off our public budget development process for the 2021-23 biennium. On July 31, we'll submit our Agency Request Budget to the Governor's office, which includes our Current Service Level budget (the budget to keep ODOE programs and activities as-is) and any Policy Option Packages that would change it.
The Oregon Department of Energy will hold a virtual public budget meeting on July 16, 2020 from 3 - 5 p.m. to discuss our Agency Request Budget and gather feedback from the public. Information about how to participate remotely is available on our website.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the economy, this will be a tough budget climate for everyone, including the state. We hope you'll get involved as we continue developing our budget to best serve Oregonians over the next two years.
ODOE Presents to Senate Interim Committee About Climate Change Executive Order
As we mentioned in last month's newsletter, the Oregon Department of Energy submitted our implementation report for Governor Brown's Executive Order 20-04, which directed state agencies to take actions to reduce and regulate greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon.
ODOE Director Janine Benner joined fellow State of Oregon agency reps to present to the Senate Interim Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (remotely) on June 4 about our implementation report. Janine discussed the agency's upcoming rulemaking activities, efforts to update energy efficiency standards, energy code development support, and more. Check out the presentation online.
New Stakeholder Panel to Take on Oregon Energy Codes
As part of Executive Order 20-04, ODOE formed a new stakeholder panel to discuss Oregon energy code development and code specifications and calculations. The panel's work will inform how ODOE offers code consultation to Oregon’s Building Codes Division.
The panel first met on June 16 and expects to meet monthly to discuss energy models for residential and commercial buildings, upcoming code cycles, and more. Follow progress on our website and sign up for future email updates. The panel will meet next on July 15.
ODOE Receives Notice of New Proposed Solar Facility
Last week, ODOE received a Notice of Intent for a new proposed energy facility named the Archway Solar Energy Project. The project, proposed by Invenergy, would be up to 400 megawatts in size on about 4,300 acres of private land southeast of Christmas Valley. The project would include solar photovoltaics, a battery storage system, a new 500 kilovolt transmission line, and other components. Learn more and follow the project as it moves through the Energy Facility Siting public process on our website.
Reports from Around the Agency
COVID-19 continues to influence how Oregonians live their daily lives. ODOE's Salem office remains closed to public walk-in traffic through at least August 31, but our services remain available. ODOE meetings are being held remotely. Keep an eye on our online calendar for meeting notices and how to participate.
As we mentioned in last month's newsletter, the Energy Facility Siting Council initiated a rulemaking process to update OAR 345, Division 029, which provides for the enforcement and disposal of radioactive materials and waste in Oregon. ODOE expects to hold at least three advisory committee meetings this summer. More information will be available on our website, and you can sign up for email updates.
ODOE will also hold a rulemaking public hearing later this month for energy efficiency standards, which is part of our agency's work to implement Executive Order 20-04. A final date for the hearing, meeting materials, and remote participation info will be posted to our website. You can also sign up for email updates.
The next public Zero Emission Vehicle Interagency Working Group meeting will be held remotely on July 16 from 2:30 - 4 p.m. An agenda, meeting materials, and remote participation information will be available on ODOE's website ahead of the meeting.
OMSI Science Pub: Save the Date! Ken Niles, our Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety and Emergency Preparedness, will be joined by ODOE Nuclear Waste Remediation Specialist Jeff Burright on August 18 for a Virtual OMSI Science Pub to share the latest on the Hanford Nuclear Site Cleanup.
At its May meeting, the Energy Facility Siting Council approved an amendment for the Wheatridge Energy Facility to split into two facilities: Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility I and Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility II. The facilities, located in Morrow County, are now under construction. "WREF I" is expected to produce wind energy, while "WREF II" is expected to produce wind and solar energy once completed.
Portland General Electric led an effort this month to submit a letter urging Oregon’s Congressional Delegation to invest potential federal stimulus dollars in transportation electrification. Thirty-six other partners and organizations – including the Oregon Department of Energy and Oregon Department of Transportation – signed on in support.
If you or someone you know is struggling to pay energy bills during COVID-19, we have a roundup of resources on our blog that may help!
Pacific Power is accepting applications for electric mobility grants that cover up to 100 percent of the eligible costs of studying, planning, promoting, or deploying electric transportation technology and projects. Non-residential customers can apply for funding through Pacific Power’s website until August 31, 2020. Learn more.
ODOE and the Energy Facility Siting Council will hold a public hearing on the Draft Proposed Order for the Obsidian Solar Center on July 20 at 5:30 p.m. in Christmas Valley. This hearing was rescheduled from June, and will include both a virtual attendance option and an in-person option. The in-person portion of the public hearing will be held following policies and guidelines to ensure social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Details will be available on ODOE's website.
On the Go Electric Oregon blog this month, we celebrated Electrify America's first coast-to-coast electric vehicle fast charging route and shared how west coast utilities, including Portland General Electric and PacificPower, are joining forces in support of electrifying I-5.
The Energy Facility Siting Council, a governor-appointed volunteer council responsible for the review and oversight of large-scale energy facilities, currently has one vacancy. Submit an interest form through the Governor's office, and contact Todd Cornett, ODOE's Assistant Director for Siting and the Council Secretary, with questions.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Public Budget Meeting | July 16, 2020 | Via Webinar
ZEVIWG Public Meeting | July 16, 2020 | Via Webinar
Energy Facility Siting Council | July 23-24, 2020 | Via Webinar
Public Hearing on Obsidian Solar DPO | July 20, 2020 | Lake County/Webinar