Exciting news from Salem! Oregon regulators just finalized nation-leading protections that ensure data centers pay for their own power and infrastructure costs, stopping the burden from being shifted onto regular folks, while supporting the grid’s resilience, affordability, and clean energy transition. This has been a multi-year journey from bill to law to rules. Here’s a rundown of the what, why, and how we got here, as well as what’s next.

Building the grid we need to power our future starts with smart planning. Transmission planning is the process of identifying actions to improve and modernize the grid, including Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs), co-located transmission lines (in existing rights-of-way, such as highways), and, when necessary, new transmission lines. This ensures that energy can be reliably and affordably delivered to homes and businesses. Planning is foundational to building a cleaner, more affordable, and more resilient energy system. Because Oregon’s grid is deeply interconnected with neighboring states, transmission planning requires both state and regional coordination.

Passing a new law is only the first step toward a clean energy future. At Climate Solutions, we stay at the table long after a bill is signed to ensure Oregon’s latest energy policies are turned into real, tangible progress for Oregonians. Our latest blog post explores how we're working with partners and state agencies to build a modern power grid that is affordable, resilient, and fair for everyone.

Explore Oregon's 2026 legislative wins and the lessons learned from the climate policies that fell short. It highlights the missed opportunities for lower energy bills while looking ahead at the work needed to build a more resilient state in 2027.

A decade of progress deserves to be celebrated, especially right now. In a moment when climate headlines can feel like a constant stream of bad news, Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program (CFP) turning 10 is a win worth celebrating. It is one of those rare public policies that has quietly, consistently done exactly what it was designed to do: cut pollution, improve health, and drive investment into cleaner transportation choices across the state.

The long-awaited Energy Strategy report is here, providing a roadmap for a clean energy transition, and, with the first-of-its-kind climate executive order from Governor Kotek that directs swift implementation of the findings, a cleaner, reliable, and more affordable energy future is more possible than ever before.

Oregon can make our energy grid stronger and more affordable by using virtual power plants to coordinate local tools like home batteries and smart appliances. These smart solutions help lower energy costs for everyone while creating good local jobs in our communities.

Announcing Oregon’s 2026 legislative short session priorities, which aim to double down on climate action that lowers household energy costs, addresses financing gaps left by federal funding cuts, grows the economy, and strengthens community resilience.

EVs can weigh more, but is that missing the forest for the trees?

Our north star is simple: we need to be investing in Oregon, not DOGE’ing essential safety, transit, and climate programs or discouraging the transition to clean transportation.