January 2021 Newsletter
Spotlight: 2020 Biennial Energy Report
Our 2020 Biennial Energy Report has been out for a few months now, and we're pleased that Oregonians are already diving in and using it. On January 25-26, ODOE Director Janine Benner presented to the House and Senate Committees on Energy and Environment to kick off the 2021 Legislative Session, the ODOE team discussed the report during the January 28 Climate Solutions Climate Leaders Live webinar, and we learned that Portland State University Adjunct Instructor Rick Williams is using the report for his graduate Energy and Society course syllabus in the school's Urban Studies and Planning program. This year, we'll host more opportunities for Oregonians to learn about the report and tell us their priorities for energy policy in our state. Please contact us if your group or organization is interested in a presentation from our staff.
New this month is a sleek web-based version of the report, highlighting popular topics from each of the report's sections. We also developed energy profiles for Oregon's 36 counties, showcasing demographic information, energy and transportation trends and costs, and more. The 2020 Biennial Energy Report is available in full and by section at energyinfo.oregon.gov/ber.
Oregon Global Warming Commission Publishes Biennial Report to the Legislature
The Oregon Global Warming Commission submitted its biennial report to the Oregon Legislature, with preliminary 2019 data that show how Oregon will miss its 2020 reduction goal by about 26 percent. The Commission outlined 36 recommendations that could help Oregon get on track to meet our climate and emissions reduction goals, including potential new legislation, support for electric vehicle adoption, strengthened building codes, and more. The report is available for download on the Commission's website.
Oregon Ranks Among Top 10 Most Energy Efficient States
In case you missed it, in December we learned that Oregon has once again ranked among the top 10 most energy efficient U.S. states! The No. 9 rank for 2020 marks 14 years in a row that Oregon has landed in the top 10. The scorecard awarded nearly full points to Oregon for state-led initiatives, including programs that support energy efficiency in homes and businesses. The report also highlighted Oregon’s commitment to prioritizing zero-emission vehicles in state fleets, efforts to benchmark energy use to better track progress, and the state’s 10-year plan to reduce energy burden and improve energy efficiency in affordable housing. ACEEE wrote that Oregon is a “national leader in energy efficiency, reporting among the highest levels of electric savings in the northwest.” Read more on our blog.
Grounded Podcast: the Renewable Energy Workforce Starts Here
On ODOE's lastest Grounded podcast, we sat down with Charles Sekafetz, the program Chair for Chemeketa Community College's Electronics Program, to learn about the program's renewable energy management path. As the renewable energy industry continues to grow, so do the specialized jobs to keep the industry running. In the interview, Charles talks about what the program offers and how the new wave of energy workers are preparing for the future. Give it a listen through your favorite podcast app or on our blog.
Marcy Grail Appointed Energy Facility Siting Council Chair
Energy Facility Siting Council member Marcy Grail was named Chair for the 2021 calendar year at the December 18, 2020 Council meeting. Marcy was originally appointed to the Council by Governor Brown in September 2016. She grew up in West Virginia and earned her degree in Communications at North Caroline State University, followed by a Master of Arts in Organization Management from the University of Phoenix. Marcy lives in Rainier and works as an Assistant Business Manager with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 125. Learn more about EFSC on our website.
Reports from Around the Agency
Throughout 2020, ODOE's Siting Division managed construction compliance oversight for about 600 megawatts of renewable wind energy in Morrow, Sherman, and Wasco counties. Keep track of Oregon's energy facility siting process on our website.
With the 2021 Legislative Session now in full swing, you can find ODOE's legislative priorities for the session on our website.
On January 12, our Nuclear Safety and Emergency Preparedness Division Assistant Director, Max Woods, and ODOE Hanford Ecologist Sara Lovtang represented ODOE at the January virtual meeting of the Hanford Natural Resources Trustee Council.
ODOE Assistant Director of Central Services Cathy Connolly joined the National Tribal Leadership Summit session on Tribal climate change policy.
As mentioned above, Portland State University Adjunct Instructor Rick Williams is using ODOE's Biennial Energy Report for his graduate course syllabus. On January 13, ODOE Director Janine Benner was a guest speaker for the class, reviewing the report's timeline of Oregon energy history. On January 20, ODOE Senior Policy Analyst Adam Schultz served as guest speaker for the class, providing an overview of the report.
On January 26, ODOE Senior Policy Analyst Rebecca Smith joined other leading policy, industry, and technical experts in a virtual discussion about renewable natural gas as a climate strategy, hosted by the World Resources Institute.
ODOE Energy Analyst Roger Kainu served as a panelist on a Home Energy Score webinar with the Bend Environmental Center, discussing how home energy scoring can help Oregon meet its energy and climate goals. Watch the recorded version online.
The Oregon Climate Change Research Institute published its Fifth Oregon Climate Assessment, an assessment of the state of climate change science as it relates to Oregon. Our team shared some initial thoughts on the report on our blog.
We were excited to see that nonprofit Forth is hosting a series of transportation webinars this winter and spring, covering a variety of topics, including inductive charging, mass transit electrification, electrified waterways, and more. Check out the lineup on the Go Electric Oregon blog.
Volunteers are currently being recruited to serve on the Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board. The 20-member board provides input to the U.S. Department of Energy and its regulators on the Hanford Nuclear Site cleanup. Learn More.
We're hiring! Keep an eye on ODOE's jobs page for open recruitments. Live now: a part-time Business Analyst position on our IT team.
The Energy Facility Siting Council, a governor-appointed volunteer council responsible for the review and oversight of large-scale energy facilities, is also recruiting potential news members. 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.
COVID-19 continues to influence how Oregonians live their daily lives. ODOE's Salem office remains closed to public walk-in traffic, but our services remain available. ODOE meetings are being held remotely. Keep an eye on our online calendar and sign up for emails to receive meeting notices and information on how to participate.
Upcoming Meetings
Energy Code Stakeholder Panel | February 23, 2021 | Via Webinar
Energy Facility Siting Council | February 25-26, 2021 | Via Webinar
Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board | March 22, 2021 | Via Webinar