New State Energy Strategy Charts a Course for Oregon’s Energy Future

Media Contact: Jennifer Kalez
Contact the Energy Strategy Team: Oregon Energy Strategy - Public Comment Portal · Customer Self-Service

The Oregon Department of Energy is pleased to present the Oregon Energy Strategy, a first-of-its-kind report that identifies pathways, policies, and recommended actions Oregon can take to meet the state's clean energy policy objectives while addressing energy affordability and reliability.

As directed by Oregon House Bill 3630 (2023), ODOE developed the energy strategy with support and engagement from Tribes, peer agencies and organizations, energy partners, community groups, and the public. It identifies five pathways to achieve energy policy objectives; evaluates the benefits and challenges of those pathways; and considers how different choices can affect energy costs for Oregon households, air quality and public health, and jobs and the economy.

The five pathways:

1. Energy Efficiency. Advance energy efficiency across buildings, industry, and transportation sectors, including by expanding access to and appeal of multimodal transportation options, to deliver the benefits of a more efficient energy system.

2. Clean Electricity. Secure reliable, affordable, and clean electricity by expanding the electricity system and incorporating load flexibility.

3. Electrification. Increase electrification of end uses across transportation, buildings, and industry, while safeguarding reliability, promoting affordability, and maximizing opportunities to use load flexibility as a resource.

4. Low-Carbon Fuels. Advance the use of low-carbon fuels in the hardest-to-electrify end uses and to maintain a reliable electric grid.

5. Resilience. Strengthen resilience across all levels of the energy system, including utilities, communities, and customers, enhancing Oregon's ability to adapt to climate change and mitigate other risks.

Alongside each pathway in the report are policy recommendations for Oregon decisionmakers and implementers to consider. With insights from public engagement, ODOE developed a set of potential legislative and policy actions Oregon can take in the near term, such as supporting current or creating new energy programs, aligning efforts across state agencies, focusing on energy burden and environmental justice, and more.

HOLD FOR GOV QUOTE FOCUSED ON STATE ACTIONS?

Development of the energy strategy wouldn't have been possible without the expertise and support of partners and community members. Over the last two years, ODOE has convened an Interagency Steering Group, Advisory Group, and several Working Groups to help inform and provide feedback on the development of the report. ODOE hosted information and listening sessions, and has accepted public comment throughout the development process, including on an August 2025 draft strategy.

"This Oregon Energy Strategy belongs to the people of Oregon," said ODOE Director Janine Benner. "Oregon's energy landscape is changing, and we have new challenges like increasing demand, higher costs, resilience and reliability, a need for more transmission, and others. We hope Oregonians see themselves in the transition to a clean energy future and that the pathways, policies, and actions outlined in this strategy will help us get there."

The Oregon Energy Strategy in its entirety, as well as a summary version, supporting documents, public comments, modeling information, and more from the development process are available on ODOE's website. The agency will continue to develop useful documents, guides, and tools.

ODOE has also created a dedicated Oregon Energy Strategy website that will share updates and track progress on policies and actions: https://energystrategy.oregon.gov/

Oregonians are welcome to provide further feedback on the strategy or request a presentation: https://odoe.powerappsportals.us/en-US/energy-strategy/

Oregon Energy Strategy Partner Quotes

"The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) commend the Oregon Department of Energy for its leadership in developing the State of Oregon's first Energy Strategy. The development process included a wide range of stakeholders having a diverse set of experiences and backgrounds from across the State. Specifically, we appreciate that the Strategy highlights the importance of early, often, and meaningful consultation with Tribes as a critical component of the State strategy for clean energy, resilience, and reliability. This Tribal-State engagement is essential for aligning the Strategy's goals with respect for CTUIR's Treaty-reserved rights and protection of natural resources. Additionally, the resilience components identified in the Oregon Energy Strategy are of critical importance for maintaining system reliability, energy security, and affordability for the benefit of all Oregonians, including Tribal members."

"The Oregon Energy Strategy sets the stage for the state to deliver on its commitments of clean, affordable energy for today's and future generations. Energy Trust shares the strategy's prioritization of energy efficiency, renewable generation and resiliency investments as key components necessary for Oregon communities to thrive," said Michael Colgrove, executive director of Energy Trust of Oregon. "We appreciate ODOE's leadership and collaborative approach in developing the strategy, and are eager to move forward in our work together to support customer- and community-based solutions that respond to local energy needs."

"The Port appreciates ODOE's thoughtful approach to identifying ways to decarbonize energy in Oregon," said Jenn Bies, Port of Portland's Environmental Director. "Collaboration and creativity are key to realizing Oregon's clean energy future, and we look forward to engaging with our partners across the state to support energy efficiency and carbon reduction efforts in transportation and beyond."

"As members of the advisory group, The Nature Conservancy is pleased to see the Oregon Energy Strategy echo the bold ideas and policy solutions shaped by the workgroup. This strategy lays out a clear, actionable path for Oregon's clean energy future. From accelerating green infrastructure to centering community voices, it's a roadmap for real progress to a rapid and responsible clean energy transition. We're excited to collaborate and work with the Oregon Department of Energy and other partners to turn this vision into durable, transformative policy that delivers positive outcomes for people and nature," said Lauren Link, Oregon State Policy Advisor for The Nature Conservancy.

"The Oregon Energy Strategy has affirmed that renewable and low carbon fuels have an important role to play in the modernization of Oregon's transportation sector, industrial facilities, and energy resilience strategies," said Erin Childs, Executive Director of Renewable Hydrogen Alliance. "State policy empowering businesses and public agencies to invest in clean fuel infrastructure will be essential for Oregon to meet its clean energy goals."

"Oregon and the broader region are at a pivotal moment for our energy future," said Diane Brandt, Policy & Legislative Affairs Director for Renewable Northwest. "The Energy Strategy provides a vital, economy-wide framework for engaging in the difficult discussions and decisions ahead, both in the near term and for years to come. Beyond its analytical value, it serves as an important collecting point for incorporating the perspectives and input of Oregonians. With the continued analysis and refinement in the future, it will become an even more effective tool."

"The Oregon Energy Strategy shows that Oregon can meet our clean energy and climate goals while strengthening our economy, lowering costs, and improving reliability," said Nora Apter, Oregon Director for Climate Solutions. "Developed through a robust and inclusive process that engaged Oregonians from across the state, this strategy offers a comprehensive, data-driven roadmap for action. The analysis is clear: electrification and efficiency are the least-cost, most reliable pathways forward. Investing in clean electricity, distributed energy, and demand flexibility will build community resilience and keep energy dollars in Oregon. With federal leadership receding, it's more important than ever for our state to lead boldly and act with urgency. Oregon has a strong foundation of policy progress and innovation, and this report provides the roadmap to deliver affordable, reliable, 100% clean energy for every community."

"As someone who taught graduate and professional development courses on Northwest energy policy for three decades and who worked for a major utility, a utility trade association, some advocacy groups, and several consulting firms before that, I have participated in many public involvement processes that have led to the major, and occasionally groundbreaking, policy documents," said Jeff Hammarlund, retired professor. "This public process and the Oregon Energy Strategy that has emerged may be the most impressive of all. Well done!"

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