PORTLAND, Ore., June 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Oregon took a major step forward toward
reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector
thanks to Senate Bill 1044, passed in the Legislature Tuesday and
headed to Gov. Kate Brown for her
signature.
"With the passage of Senate Bill 1044, Oregon is helping lead the nation on how to
transition to a cleaner, modern transportation system," Gov. Brown
said. "When zero-emission vehicles are widely used and charging
stations are easily accessible to all, we can support economic
development and the environment at the same time."
An increasing share of Oregon's
greenhouse gas emissions (nearly 40%) are from the transportation
sector, with a majority coming from cars and trucks. SB 1044 will
help drive down these emissions by setting goals, linked to
Oregon's greenhouse gas reduction
goals, for the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the
state.
"Oregon has important and
ambitious climate goals, and the only way the transportation sector
will reach them is if ZEV adoption happens at a much faster rate,"
said Sen. Lee Beyer (D-Springfield), one of the bill's chief
sponsors. "Getting there requires clear goals, metrics and policy
choices."
ZEVs have no tailpipe emissions and run on cleaner fuel sources
like electricity or renewable hydrogen. If the bill's goals are
met, ZEVs would become the dominant cars on the road. One measure
of success is that 90% of all new vehicles sold in Oregon and 50% of all registered vehicles in
Oregon would be ZEVs by 2035.
The bill also requires the Oregon Department of Energy to
monitor ZEV adoption. If the state is off track, ODOE must
recommend strategies to the Legislature to spur ZEV adoption. These
could include policies to develop more infrastructure (such as
electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fueling stations) and
increase public awareness about ZEVs and their benefits.
SB 1044 also gives schools the option to use an existing funding
source, the portion of the public purpose charge dedicated to
schools, to purchase electric buses and charging stations. (This
charge is paid by PGE and Pacific Power customers to fund energy
efficiency.) In addition, it requires that all light-duty vehicles
owned or leased by the state of Oregon be ZEVs by 2029.
"Zero-emission vehicles and buses are not only better for the
environment, but the fuel to power them is less expensive and often
produced right here in Oregon, by
Oregon workers," said Rep.
Jeff Reardon (D-East Portland/Happy
Valley), the other chief sponsor of the bill. "This bill
supports ZEV adoption and supports our economy, better air quality
and a cleaner environment."
Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR), City of Portland, Climate Solutions, Idaho
Power, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Northwest
Energy Coalition, Oregon Citizens' Utility Board, Oregon
Environmental Council and Pacific Power worked with Sen. Beyer and
Rep. Reardon to promote the bill, supported by a coalition of other
environmental, labor and customer advocacy groups, and city
mayors.
Maria Pope, President and CEO of
Portland General Electric, said the company helped develop the bill
as part of its goal to support economy-wide decarbonization. "We
applaud the work of the Legislature in taking a holistic view of
creating a cleaner transportation system, leveraging the reliable,
affordable and increasingly clean electricity system that PGE
employees are working hard to achieve," she said.
ZEVs offer several benefits for consumers. They are a more
economical mode of transportation, with state and federal tax
incentives making them cost the same or less than comparable
combustion-engine vehicles. Oregonians who own ZEVs also save about
$860 a year in fuel costs and even
more in reduced maintenance. Most ZEVs built today can drive
between 150 and 240 miles on a single charge, enough range to meet
most people's driving needs. They also are supported by hundreds of
fast-charging stations throughout the state.
Portland General
Electric
Steve
Corson
(503)
464-8444
steven.corson@pgn.com
|
Climate
Solutions
Kimberly
Larsen
kimberly@climatesolutions.org
(503)
881-7991
|
Northwest Energy
Coalition
Sean
O'Leary
sean@nwenergy.org
(206)
621-0094
|
Oregon Citizens'
Utility Board
Janice
Thompson
janice@oregoncub.org
(503) 227-1984
x24
|
Oregon
Environmental Council
Tony
Hernandez
tonyh@oeconline.org
(713)
857-5935
|
|
View original
content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/portland-general-electric-new-law-will-boost-zero-emission-vehicles-in-oregon-reducing-states-impact-on-climate-change-300870960.html
SOURCE Portland General Company