Oregon Global Warming Commission Analysis Shows Oregon’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goal is Within Reach

Media Contact: Catherine Macdonald, 503-475-6782

SALEM – Thanks to Oregon’s recent bold energy and climate change policy advances, the state is projected to meet its 2035 greenhouse gas reduction goal, according to a recent analysis for the Oregon Global Warming Commission.

With grant funding from the U.S. Climate Alliance, the commission is working with consulting firm SSG to develop an economy-wide, Oregon-specific model that forecasts the potential emission reductions from existing and new mitigation actions the state could take. The analysis will inform development of a Roadmap to 2035 designed to provide decision-makers with recommendations for future actions the state should take to reduce Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions. The commission discussed the analysis at its July 13 meeting.

While the final Roadmap will be completed this fall, data incorporating 14 adopted and in-development programs and regulations into the model show that Oregon is on track to meet the state’s goal to reduce emissions to at least 45 percent below 1990 levels by 2035.

Among the programs and regulations included in the modelling are House Bill 2021, which requires Oregon’s investor-owned electric utilities to provide customers with emissions-free electricity by 2040, and the Climate Protection Program, which sets a declining limit, or cap, on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and propane) used throughout Oregon. The modeling assumes that state-adopted policies to reduce emissions in Oregon will be fully implemented without setbacks or delay.

“Oregon climate leaders have worked hard to pass new legislation and take executive action to get our state on track to meet our climate goals,” said Oregon Global Warming Commission Chair Catherine Macdonald. “While the modeling shows we’re on our way, there is no margin for error and it’s critical that agencies and commissions have adequate staffing and funding to ensure that the programs and regulations they administer are implemented as planned in an affordable, equitable, and efficient manner.”

"It's great to see how Oregon's policies and programs work together to target significant emission reductions—but we are just getting started," said Global Warming Commission member and Oregon Public Utility Commission Chair Megan Decker. "Making good on Oregon’s climate leadership within an affordable and reliable energy system will take many more years of diligent work and collaboration from utilities, stakeholders, and agencies." 

“It will be all-hands-on deck as we work collectively to meet the greenhouse gas reduction targets set in the 100 percent clean electricity law,” said Dave Robertson, Vice President of Public Affairs for Portland General Electric. “We look forward to working with all parties to help Oregon meet the targets while keeping prices affordable and power reliable.” 

The next phase of the modeling will focus on identifying the co-benefits associated with additional actions the state can take to reduce emissions.

“If Oregon merely reduces emissions without also addressing community impacts, policies and programs will continue to leave Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, low-income, and rural communities behind,” said Oriana Magnera, Global Warming Commission member and Energy, Climate, and Transportation Program Manager at Verde. “We are hopeful that the next phase of analysis will help the commission make recommendations that prioritize those communities and center them in future decision-making.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded that global emissions must fall by nearly 50 percent by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celcius and avoid further catastrophic and irreversible climate impacts. As the commission moves to finalize its Roadmap to 2035 later this year, it will propose a set of recommendations to support implementation of existing programs and regulations and identify additional actions the state could take to further reduce emissions, in-line with the best available science and IPCC’s recommendations. Oregonians are invited to join commission meetings to provide comments and feedback on the Roadmap. The commission will discuss additional modeling and projected costs and benefits of taking more action to reduce emissions at its August meeting.

“The steps we take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will create great jobs and economic growth across Oregon,” said Sam Pardue, Global Warming Commission member and CEO of Indow. “Every year we ship $8 billion out of our state to purchase fossil fuels. Imagine the opportunities we will create by keeping this money in Oregon as we invest in clean and energy efficiency measures. The employment opportunities will lift up low- and moderate-income households and benefit rural and urban Oregonians alike.”

Follow the commission’s work online: www.keeporegoncool.org.