Over the weekend, the Oregon Legislature concluded its 2021 session, as much of the state saw triple digit temperatures. At the end of the session, a suite of three bills backed by the Clean Energy Opportunity Campaign passed, and are on their way to the Governor's desk for her signature. The bills address a variety of interconnected issues, from the need for more affordable utility bills, to preparing for 100% clean energy with an eye towards environmental and racial justice.
House Bill 2021, passed on the 26th. It requires electricity providers in Oregon to use 100% clean sources by 2040. That outs Oregon on track to have the fastest clean energy transition in the country, on par with New York.
House Bill 2842 passed on the 26th as well. It creates a home repair grant program for low income Oregonians to get energy efficiency upgrades. House Bill 2475 passed both houses back in May. It allows for energy discounts for low income people, and greater participation in energy decision making for BIPOC, rural and frontline communities.
Back in March, KBOO's Althea Billings spoke with Nikita Daryanani, of the Coalition of Communities of Color to learn more about the importance of the campaign.
Includes comments from State Senator Kayse Jama, State Senator Michael Dembrow and State Representative Pam Marsh.
- KBOO