Oregon’s Governor Ted Kulongoski told the State Sustainability Board recently that he wants new renewable electricity in Oregon to supply 100 percent of state government’s electrical needs by 2010. This new plan replaces the previous 100 percent goal that was expected to be met by 2025."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," the Governor told the Board members in Salem.
According to the Governor’s office, the state spends about $26 million per year on electricity and about 1 percent of the state’s consumption comes from renewable sources. The Governor directed his staff, the Department of Administrative Services and Department of Energy to deliver a roadmap by July 2006 that includes the exploration of the following options:
- Developing one or more state renewable energy facilities or partnering with a private developer to purchase the output of renewable energy.
- Participating in utility-renewable-energy purchase programs.
- Expanding the use of cost-effective solar energy in state buildings.
- Passing legislation that authorizes state agencies to develop renewable energy on state forests, state lands, state campuses and other stateproperty.
