Coal-Fired Electricity Will Continue to Serve Portland


Contrary to what the 2017 Update states, SB1547 does not require that coal plants be phased out by 2035.  It also does not require any phasing out of coal-fired electricity from helping to serve our demand for electricity.  While it does increase the Renewable Performance Standards (RPS) in the out years, reaching 50% by 2050, this applies only to two utilities: PGE and PacifiCorp.  Even then, the requirement may be met through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from across the United States.  As a result, the electricity entering homes and businesses in Portland will continue to include carbon-based generation, including coal.  There is a second reason why carbon-based fuels, including coal, will continue to be delivered to Portland’s homes and businesses since coal will remain a significant component of the West Coast power system of which PGE and PacifiCorp are a part.

If you are interested in this issue, here are several sites.

2017 Update of the 2015 Climate Action Plan:
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/636700

Western Electricity Coordinating Council:
https://www.wecc.biz/Pages/home.aspx

Cutting Carbon Emissions From Electricity Generation:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1040619017300118

PacifiCorp 2017 Integrated Resource Plan:
http://pacificorp.com/content/dam/pacificorp/doc/Energy_Sources/Integrated_Resource_Plan/2017_IRP/2017_IRP_VolumeI_IRP_Final.pdf

Portland General Electric 2016 Integrated Resource Plan:
https://www.portlandgeneral.com/our-company/energy-strategy/resource-planning/integrated-resource-planning



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