Noah Rott, Sierra Club, noah.rott@sierraclub.org
Portland, OR — Yesterday, Oregon’s Public Utility Commission (PUC) announced support of PacifiCorp’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to keep expensive and heavily-polluting coal plants powering Oregon communities for several more decades. This verbal vote to acknowledge the plan is expected to be formally approved in the coming weeks. PacifiCorp is the parent company of Pacific Power, which operates across Oregon, Washington, and California.
The utility's plan diverges from Oregon's climate goals because it keeps PacifiCorp’s coal fleet in operation through 2040. In 2016, Oregon committed to phasing out coal power by 2030, and last year’s "Oregon's Clean Energy for All" law aims to reduce statewide carbon emissions 80% by 2030. Environmental activists fought hard for these legislative wins, and many testified against PacifiCorp's IRP -- over 800 comments submitted to the PUC opposed it. This decision by the PUC fails to move the state forward in actually phasing out coal power by 2030.
PacifiCorp is a majority owner of Wyoming's Jim Bridger coal plant and Utah's Hunter and Huntington coal plants, all of which are within the top 20 nitrous oxide polluters nationwide, and some of the most expensive resources on the grid. By the utility's own analysis, retiring much of its coal fleet would save ratepayers money (see Appendix R) as wind and solar become increasingly inexpensive. Yet, these plants are projected to stay online well beyond 2030.
Statement from Oregon Clean Energy Task Force Chair at Sierra Club, Ally Dugan:
"Environmental advocates and justice organizers volunteered countless hours to pass Oregon's 100% Clean Energy for All Act. Through this work, it was clear Oregonians support clean energy for a variety of reasons, with many citing public health concerns. But with this Integrated Resource Plan, Oregon will remain tied to the largest coal fleet in the West, putting our climate goals and public health at risk."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.