Oregon

OREGON’S ENERGY REALITIES

• Oregon has limited fossil fuel reserves but is rich with renewable energy potential. The Columbia River and rivers from the Cascades provide some of the best hydroelectric potential in America. Large portions of the state are suitable for wind and geothermal power generation.
• Oregon’s only oil refinery was shutdown in 2008. Now the state receives all of its petroleum products from Washington State and Northern California.
• Natural gas is supplied to Oregon by pipeline from Canada and the Rocky Mountain States.
• Nearly two-thirds of Oregon’s electricity is generated by hydroelectric plants. Natural gas-fired power plants and Oregon’s single coal-fired plant supply most of the remainder of the state’s electricity.
• Oregon’s renewable energy portfolio standard requires the State’s largest utilities to generate 25 percent of their power from renewable resources by 2025.

ENERGY POWERS OREGON’S ECONOMY

• Oil and natural gas production alone supports 55,600 jobs in Oregon.  
• In total, the oil and natural gas industry adds $4.8 billion to Oregon’s gross state product, or 3.1% of its wealth annually.
• In 2007, Oregon had a total of 19,340 green jobs in industries such as solar, hydro, and wind.
• The Keystone XL pipeline would support 120 Oregon jobs in 2012, 499 by 2015, and 838 by 2020.
• The full development of the Canadian oil sands would support 4,688 Oregon jobs by 2035
• Oregon’s total per capita energy usage is 279 million Btu per capita, making it the 35^th highest per capita usage in the United States.
• A study undertaken by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows that at least 9 of Oregon’s energy projects have been stalled by “green tape” – a means to block energy projects by organizing local opposition, changing zoning laws, opposing permits, filing lawsuits, and bleeding projects dry of their financing. 
• The U.S. Chamber, based on consultation with the project developers, estimates that these projects represent at least $6.8 billion investment dollars and 21,200 jobs in Oregon.