NEW ANALYSIS: Renewable energy booms nationwide, but Oregon has room to grow

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon ranks 18th in the nation for the amount of solar, wind and geothermal power generated last year, according to a new online dashboard released on Wednesday by Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center.

The Renewables on the Rise 2024 dashboard compiles information from various sources to detail progress over the past decade in six areas — wind, solar, electric vehicles, electric vehicle charging, energy efficiency and battery storage — that will be key to transitioning to a future powered entirely by clean and renewable resources. Despite an overall middle of the pack rating for growing clean energy, there are bright moments for Oregon.

The Beaver State ranks 16th in the country for growth in electric vehicle registrations and 19th for growth in charging ports over the past decade. Oregon has also seen a 23-fold increase in the amount of electricity it gets from the sun over the past decade, compared to an eight-fold increase nationally. Solar is growing faster in percentage terms in Oregon than in California, but slower than in Texas or Florida.

“Oregon is making important progress when it comes to getting more of our energy from solar,” said Celeste Meiffren-Swango, state director with Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center. “State lawmakers and regulators should keep working to make it easier for Oregonians to put solar on their homes and businesses as a key strategy to hit our statewide goal of 100% clean energy by 2040.” 

In addition to highlighting states that have made the most progress in adopting renewable energy technologies, the Renewables on the Rise 2024 dashboard also details the rapid gains achieved nationally over the past decade. According to the report, America produced more than three times as much renewable electricity from the sun and the wind in 2023 as in 2014. 

The authors recommend that lawmakers and regulators ensure that utility policies fairly compensate investors in clean energy technology and adopt policies for permitting and interconnection that make adopting clean energy technologies hassle-free. The federal government, states and localities should cut energy waste by expanding efficiency programs and policies, including utility energy efficiency programs, energy codes for buildings and appliance efficiency standards.

“This report offers a timely reminder that we have an immense, largely untapped opportunity when it comes to clean energy here in Oregon. We should take full advantage of tax credits to help realize our clean energy potential,” said Meiffren-Swango. “Oregonians are already reaping the benefits of the progress we’ve made so far, but there is so much more we can do to usher in the clean, renewable energy future we need.”

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Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We work to protect the places we love, advance the environmental values we share, and win real results for our environment. For more information, visit www.environmentoregoncenter.org.