New report by A Renewable America in collaboration with Oregon Tech Shows Oregon can power 98 Percent of the state with renewable electricity by 2030 while significantly strengthening the economy.
Here are some key findings from the Oregon report that might interest you:
• Oregon has enough renewable energy resources (including hydro) to power over 98 percent of the state’s overall electricity use (7,864 MW) in the next 15 years (by 2030)
o Construction:
– 140,000 additional local jobs (emphasis on rural jobs)
– $8 billion more in wages and benefits
o Operations:
– Over 2,500 additional annual jobs
-$150 million in annual wages and benefits
• $9.3 billion has been invested in Oregon to bring new renewable energy project online through 2014
• Oregon is home to 68,700 jobs in renewable power industries, energy efficiency and other conservation services.
• More than 130 in-state wind and solar companies and suppliers
• 75 percent of Oregon’s power currently comes from renewables
– 3,153 MW – Wind
– 79 MW – Solar
– 33.3 MW – Geothermal
– 8,425 MW – Hydropower
– 402.6 MW – Biomass
– 13.1 MW – Waste-to-Energy
What would this do to the state economy?
During construction it would create 212,000 jobs and generate over $13.6 billion in wages and benefits. Over the operational lifetime of the new renewables development the industry would create over 3,400 additional jobs annually and $266 million in annual wages and benefits.
The renewable energy industry has already leveraged $8.9 billion in investment into the state through 2014 and supports 110 in-state wind and solar companies and suppliers doing business in Washington.
The report also profiles four Washington renewable energy projects and their economic impact on their respective communities. Those projects include PacifiCorp’s Marengo Wind Farms, Seattle City Light’s Boundary Dam and Seattle Aquarium solar array, as well as Snohomish Public Utility District’s Youngs Creek Hydroelectric project.
Report: Wash., Ore. Could Vastly Expand Renewable Power Production
www.opb.org/news/article/washington-and-oregon-have-opportunity-to-vastly-expand-renewable-power-production-report-says/
