OREGON HOUSE REPUBLICANS

HOUSE APPROVES BILL WITH PROVISION TO PROMOTE

HYDROGEN AS RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE

HB 2940 Adds Hydrogen to Oregon’s Renewable Portfolio Standard

SALEM—The House of Representatives today approved HB 2940 to allow biomass electricity to comply with Oregon’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS). The bill also includes a provision promoted by Rep. Vic Gilliam (R-Silverton) to add hydrogen power stations as a fuel source to comply with RPS standards.

The 2007 Legislature approved the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to require the largest utilities in Oregon to provide 25 percent of their retail sales of electricity from newer, clean, renewable sources of energy in 2025. Over the past year, Rep. Gilliam has pushed to include Oregon-based hydrogen as part of these standards.

“Oregon sits at the epicenter of some of the most powerful natural energy resources in the world,” Rep. Gilliam said. “We are surrounded by vast amounts of under-valued, off-peak wind, hydro and solar energy resources. Thanks to House passage of HB 2940, Oregon may soon reach its potential as the ‘Saudi Arabia’ of hydrogen energy.”

Rep. Gilliam thanked Rep. Chris Edward (D-Eugene), chief sponsor of HB 2940, for agreeing to include the hydrogen provision in the legislation.  Rep. Gilliam, Rep. Jules Bailey (D-Portland) and Rep. Jefferson Smith (D-Portland) had introduced the hydrogen provision as HB 2896 but, due to a clerical error, the bill was not able to be advanced before legislative session deadlines.

“HB 2940 is an example of how legislators can work together to responsibly utilize Oregon’s rich natural resources to improve our economy and reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Rep. Gilliam said. “The legislation complements a resolution I introduced and passed in 2007 to encourage the state to pursue renewable energy research, policy and programmatic initiatives, and encourages creative partnerships with cities and counties, venture capitalists, energy entrepreneurs and organizations.”

The bill now moves to the Senate.

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