Mayor Doyle, Others Endorse PGE Clean Energy Program Bid

BEAVERTON, OR — Denny Doyle was one of six Oregon mayors to recently endorse Portland General Electric's new program to meet the state's goal of clean energy production and consumption.

Filed last Friday with the Oregon Public Utility Commission, PGE's "Green Tariff" program — if approved — could create new options for large non-residential customers to purchase clean energy directly from solar, wind, and other renewable energy facilities through PGE's service.

“This is part of PGE’s ongoing commitment to leading the way to a clean energy future for Oregon,” PGE president and CEO Maria Pope said in a statement released Monday. “Many of our customers have ambitious clean energy and sustainability goals — while at the same time wanting to keep prices affordable. This is another way we can meet their needs.”

While the Green Tariff Program allows PGE municipal and large business customers to continue their current service, it also creates the option to obtain clean energy from renewable resources — pushing PGE toward the state's goal of seeing half the state's energy supply come from renewable resources over the next 22 years.

Senate Bill 1547, which was passed by Oregon state legislators in 2016, increases the previous clean energy goal of 25 percent renewable resources by 2025 to 50 percent renewable by 2040.

According to PGE, "The proposed program would deliver power to participating large customers at a price that reflects the actual cost of producing and delivering the energy from a specific facility, and it would be self-supporting to assure that no costs would be shifted to non-participating customers."

Details on the pricing structure and varying contract options can be found here.

In written testimony offered to the commission, Doyle outlined Beaverton's interest in the Green Tariff program and described what he personally hopes to see happen in the city.

"Our climate is changing. The uncharacteristic weather we have been experiencing over the past few years and the wildfire is just some of the many changes we have seen and will continue to see in the coming years," Doyle testified. "At the core of this challenge is creating a path to a future where the residents of Beaverton can not only stay safe, but can also thrive in the opportunities that vast change create."

Recognizing a future Pacific Northwest with a considerably larger population, Doyle emphasized the need for smart, coordinated planning now.

"That is why Beaverton has created our first community focused climate strategy: Beaverton’s Climate Action Plan," he said. "We are doing our part to take action, but we can’t meet our goals without everyone creating our future together."

Keeping climate and environmental considerations at the forefront of all planning decisions in the city, Doyle said Beaverton will join other metro area municipalities in working toward a cleaner, greener future.

“I am excited about PGE’s Green Tariff program because innovative options like this can help Beaverton achieve our climate action goals,” Doyle said.

Along with Doyle, mayors from Gresham, Portland, Milwaukie, Hillsboro, and Salem signed the application endorsing the commission's approval.

Click here for more information about the proposed Green Tariff program.

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