Clean Energy Figures Big in Proposed Oregon Legislation

If Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has his way, the Beaver State could adopt a stack of policies next year to provide funding for renewable energy projects and transportation infrastructure, promote green building and energy efficiency, and authorize participation in the Western Climate Initiative, a regional cap-and-trade program. Kulongoski submitted more than 30 bills for consideration in the 2009 legislative session last week, and many of them reflect his pledge to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and make Oregon a hub for clean technology.

When it comes to attracting green startups, significant proposals include a new fund for small clean energy projects and a feed-in tariff for solar energy projects (already powering up across the state at a brisk pace) modeled after Germany’s incentive program. While the Renewable Energy Fund would have to vie for resources in a state budget that has come up $1 billion short of pre-recession projections, Kulongoski has proposed boosting it with tax-deductible donations from Oregon citizens.