Oregon Governor Aims to Have State Run on Renewable Energy By 2010

By Matt Cooper, The Register-Guard, Eugene, Ore.

Mar. 15–If the governor has his way, state government will run entirely on earth-friendly electricity by 2010.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski told the state Sustainability Board on Friday that within four years, he wants renewable electricity to account for 100 percent of the state government’s electrical needs.

Renewable electricity comes from sources that repeatedly can make — or “renew” — the supply, as opposed to sources that make electricity by relying on finite fuels such as coal or natural gas.

Renewable sources include wind and solar generators, geothermal sources and biomass — agricultural and forest products “leftovers” that can be converted to energy or fuel. The governor wants the state’s electricity supplied by sources that started generating renewable electricity after 1999.

“The state must lead by example in its consumption of energy,” Kulongoski said. “It is not only good fiscal policy for the taxpayers, but it’s also sound policy that will contribute to protecting our environment and promoting economic development in Oregon’s sustainable industries.”

Currently, only 1 percent of the state’s use of electricity comes from renewable sources, said Lonn Hoklin, a spokesman for the governor.

To reach the new goal, the state will explore the development of state renewable energy facilities or partnering with a private developer to purchase renewable energy; participating in utility renewable-energy purchase programs; expanding the use of solar energy; and legislation that authorizes state agencies to develop renewable energy on state property including forests, campuses and other lands.

“If we can achieve this — and I believe we can — Oregon will represent the first state committed to achieving 100 percent renewable electricity use in state government,” Kulongoski said.

State government spends $26 million annually on electricity, Hoklin said.

It’s hard to say what the cost would be to secure 100 percent renewable energy in 2010, he added, because rates can rise and fall dramatically.

If the cost is high, Kulongoski will direct state departments to consider new approaches rather than postpone his goal, Hoklin said.

In his State of the State address last month, Kulongoski detailed goals for state self-reliance on energy that include more conservation and efficiency, comprehensive biofuels and biomass policies and pushing Oregon utilities to generate at least 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

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