October 2019 Newsletter

Oregon Ranks Among Top Ten Most Energy Efficient U.S. States

For the thirteenth year in a row, Oregon ranks among the top 10 most energy efficient states in the country, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. ACEEE’s 2019 scorecard ranks Oregon at No. 9.

Each year, the ACEEE releases its State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, which measures states based on utility and public benefit programs and policies, transportation policies, building energy codes, combined heat and power policies, state government-led initiatives around energy efficiency, and appliance and equipment standards.

The scorecard acknowledged Oregon for leading by example, awarding five out of a possible six points for government-led initiatives. The report highlighted Oregon’s transportation initiatives for zero emission vehicles, its Home Energy Scoring program, work with appliance efficiency standards, and leadership around building energy codes. The report also outlined Governor Brown’s Executive Order 17-20, which established a plan to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in the built environment, including public buildings.

ACEEE wrote that Oregon has “established strong policy structures, incentives, and standards to drive savings through utility programs, efficient new construction, and improved sustainability in the transportation sector.” Read more on ODOE's blog, and keep up the good work, Oregon!

ODOE Shares More Ways to Save Energy

ACEEE's announcement was well-timed as ODOE celebrated Energy Efficiency Day on October 2. We published a list on our blog of easy ways Oregonians can save energy – including a bonus tip to opt-in to utility renewable energy programs. We also shared recommendations for landscaping strategies that can also save energy, like trees that can provide shade and cut down on wind.

Thank You Barry Beyeler

When Barry Beyeler (pictured at left with ODOE Assistant Director Todd Cornett) gaveled the Energy Facility Siting Council meeting closed on October 25, it signaled the end of nearly 15 years as a volunteer with the Oregon Department of Energy. Barry served on the Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board from 2005 to 2010, then joined the Energy Facility Siting Council. He's served as Chair of EFSC since early 2015. As the Community Development Director for the City of Boardman, Barry is literally surrounded by energy generation and transmission infrastructure. His knowledge and dedication will be greatly missed!

Hanford Nuclear Site Tour

Oregon State Representatives Anna Williams, Richard Lewis, Werner Reschke, and Sheri Schouten joined ODOE staff and others for a tour of the Hanford Nuclear Site near Richland, Washington earlier this month. The group toured the historic B Reactor (pictured), the groundwater pump-and-treat station, tank waste farms, the under-construction vitrification facility, and other areas of the site. Visiting Hanford is an eye-opening experience – learn more about ODOE's role in the Hanford cleanup on our website.

Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program

ODOE staff continue working to implement HB 2618, which created a new solar and energy storage rebate program at our agency. We will hold a public hearing on the rules on December 3, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at the Oregon Department of Energy (550 Capitol St. NE in Salem). More information will be available on our website, and you ca sign up to receive email notices about how to get involved. The new rebate program will be up and running in early 2020.

Join Our Team

We're recruiting for two Senior Energy Analysts to join our Planning & Innovation Division: a Climate Specialist and a Natural Gas and Alternative Fuels Specialist. Learn more and apply by November 24. See all open ODOE positions on our website, and please share with your networks.

Reports From Around the Agency

Thanks to everyone who participated in our strategic planning survey last month. More than 1,600 Oregonians weighed in to share their energy priorities. We'll post updates on our website as we continue the strategic planning process this winter.
ODOE Director Janine Benner and Assistant Director for Policy & Innovation Alan Zelenka were in San Diego earlier this month for the Western Interstate Energy Board/Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation Fall Conference.
Director Janine Benner and Robin Freeman, our Associate Director for Government Relations, joined the Oregon Municipal Electric Utilities Association for its Fall Meeting in Gleneden Beach on October 17.
The Energy Facility Siting Council will hold an informational meeting on the proposed Obsidian Solar Center on November 14 at 5:30 p.m. at North Lake School Gymnasium in Silver Lake.
We hosted a free utility-scale solar and battery storage workshop on October 29 at Central Lincoln People's Utility District's headquarters in Newport. It was the final workshop in a series funded through a U.S. Department of Energy SunShot grant.
ODOE Energy Analyst Rob Del Mar presented on community energy resilience during a "Making Energy Work for Rural Oregon" event in Klamath Falls on October 18. The event was part of Sustainable Northwest's fourth annual Fall Energy Symposium.
ODOE Technology & Policy Manager Jessica Reichers spoke on a panel about electromobility and the grid at a pop-up event in Portland on October 10. Jessica shared the latest and greatest about EVs in Oregon as part of "Wunderbar Together," a year-long celebration of the German-America friendship.
Jessica Reichers was also a featured speaker at Salem City Club on October 24, diving in to whether or not Oregon is ready for electric vehicles.
Speaking of EVs: as of October 1, 2019, Oregon has 27,729 registered electric vehicles on our roads – nearly 500 EVs were added in September. Track our progress on the Go Electric Oregon website.
ODOE Senior Policy Analyst Lesley Jantarasami gave a keynote address on climate at the Go Clean Energy Conference in Bend on October 3. Energy Analyst Roger Kainu participated in a morning panel to discuss energy code and home energy scores.
Lesley Jantarasami also presented on climate change adaptation and tribal and indigenous peoples engagement at the 2019 Northwest Climate Conference on October 9-10.
ODOE Senior Policy Analyst Rebecca Smith moderated a panel on resilience, distributed energy resources, and smart grids at the Grid FWD 2019 conference in Seattle on October 8.

Upcoming Meetings

Energy in Oregon, Saving EnergyJennifer KalezOctober 31, 2019Newsletter, Hanford, Energy Efficiency, ACEEE, EFSC, Energy Facility Siting Council, ODOE Jobs, Save Energy, Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program