Environment Oregon joins the Save Oregon Solar Coalition

On Tuesday, the Save Oregon Solar Coalition officially launched. This new coalition, which includes Environment Oregon, is a group of community organizations, environmental and environmental justice groups, clean energy advocates and businesses that was formed to support the continued growth of solar in Oregon. 

Every year, enough sunlight shines on America to provide 100 times more power than we need, but we’re only capturing a tiny percent of it. Harnessing more of the sun’s energy is an important tool in our clean energy toolbox, so we can have cleaner air, a more stable climate, more resilient communities and a brighter future. 

Despite all of its benefits, rooftop solar accounts for less than 1% of Oregon’s electricity. To make matters worse, some utilities are attempting to slow residential solar adoption by proposing to slash net metering rates. Net metering is a billing system that ensures homeowners who have installed solar earn credit for the extra electricity they don’t use and put back into the grid.  

In May 2024, Idaho Power received the Oregon PUC’s approval to end net metering in eastern Oregon. In March 2024, PGE delayed a proposal that would have cut net metering credits and required households to purchase batteries with rooftop solar in order to keep existing rates. Net metering keeps solar affordable, empowers Oregonians to become more energy independent and helps the state meet its clean energy goals, and these proposals take us in the wrong direction.

“We’re excited to be part of this coalition to stand up to utilities and support efforts to encourage rooftop solar adoption by making it easier– not harder– for all Oregonians to power their lives with clean energy,” said Celeste Meiffren-Swango, state director of Environment Oregon. 

Read more about the Save Oregon Solar Coalition.