text that reads "The POWER act" and a picture of an electricity bill with a graph pointing down
Oregon’s POWER Act is the first of its kind to protect Oregonians’ utility bills from data center growth
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.
Energy efficiency
powerlines at sunset

Oregon has the tools to repair and revamp our aging grid

The grid is the ‘superhighway’ on which electricity travels. It is a vast network of transmission lines and infrastructure that delivers the electricity we need to power our daily lives (i.e., our homes, businesses, and industrial sites). The grid is crucial for maintaining reliable and affordable power for Oregonians. Importantly, the grid must also evolve to accommodate our state’s clean energy transition and to serve our growing population and economy. Two recently passed pieces of legislation will help modernize the grid, relieving congestion and streamlining permitting of new…

image of phone managing power from rooftop solar

Macro Wins for Microgrids!

Last week, Governor Kotek signed two bills into law, HB 2065 and HB 2066, which will create a process for developing community-owned microgrids. Microgrids are a key part of Oregon’s decarbonization and energy resiliency goals. But their development has been hampered by technical and regulatory challenges. What are microgrids, why has building them been challenging, and how does this legislation help?

Climatecast logo, picture of EPA plaque

Reckless, dangerous, and disgusting

EPA's new rules, The big "beautiful" bill, The data center boom, and funding impacts on BIPOC farmers and environmental programs

picture of Salem Capitol building under construction

Oregon’s 2025 Legislative Session: Climate Wins, Losses, and the Road Ahead

Oregon’s 2025 legislative session delivered mixed results for climate progress. Sound familiar? That’s because this is the second year in a row that Oregon lawmakers fell short of delivering the bold investments and climate action this moment demands. While we secured hard-fought wins and defended against serious threats that would unwind existing progress, this was far from a banner year for climate action in Oregon. Still, this session laid important groundwork, and we have a clear call to action for the road ahead.

protesters for Building Resilience

Our communities deserve a climate future, tell lawmakers to act now

Oregon’s legislative session is almost over, and lawmakers have only passed one of nine critical bills in the Energy Affordability and Resilience Package. The rest are still sitting on the table, and we need your help to move them forward.

green wall with gas meter in the center

Remember when NWN was secretly piping hydrogen gas into Portland homes? Well, no more secrets.

Oregon lawmakers have taken action to improve public oversight of gas utilities’ hydrogen “pipe dreams.”

image of an old powerline

Our energy grid needs help fast. Contact your legislator today!

To achieve Oregon’s 100% clean energy goals reliably and affordably, we need to address our transmission bottleneck. Through innovative policy solutions, the 2025 Legislature can help meet the energy demands of our growing economy without compromising affordability.

budget plan on a chalk board

Tell Oregon lawmakers: We need a strong Climate Justice Budget in 2025!

Federal climate rollbacks threaten our progress — and Oregon families can’t wait for clean energy, affordable heating and cooling, and climate resilience. Lawmakers are finalizing the state budget for the next two years. Now is the time to speak up for a strong Climate Justice Budget that protects communities, lowers energy bills, and creates clean energy jobs across the state

image of two folks paying bills and text asking folks to support SB 88

Stop utility companies from charging YOU for their lobbyists and lawyers

The Oregon State Senate will hold a floor vote on SB 88 - Get the Junk Out Rates to protect your families and your budget by holding large utility companies accountable. Can you email your legislators urging them to support this crucial legislation?

picture of Salem Capitol building

Midpoint Momentum: A Climate Progress Update from Oregon's 2025 Legislative Session

We’re officially over halfway through Oregon’s 2025 legislative session. Here’s the inside scoop on dynamics at the Capitol, the status of key clean energy and climate priorities, and how you can help keep the momentum going.

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powerlines at sunset

Oregon has the tools to repair and revamp our aging grid

The grid is the ‘superhighway’ on which electricity travels. It is a vast network of transmission lines and infrastructure that delivers the electricity we need to power our daily lives (i.e., our homes, businesses, and industrial sites). The grid is crucial for maintaining reliable and affordable power for Oregonians. Importantly, the grid must also evolve to accommodate our state’s clean energy transition and to serve our growing population and economy. Two recently passed pieces of legislation will help modernize the grid, relieving congestion and streamlining permitting of new transmission lines.
Read More

image of phone managing power from rooftop solar

Macro Wins for Microgrids!

Last week, Governor Kotek signed two bills into law, HB 2065 and HB 2066, which will create a process for developing community-owned microgrids. Microgrids are a key part of Oregon’s decarbonization and energy resiliency goals. But their development has been hampered by technical and regulatory challenges. What are microgrids, why has building them been challenging, and how does this legislation help?
Read More

picture of Salem Capitol building under construction

Oregon’s 2025 Legislative Session: Climate Wins, Losses, and the Road Ahead

Submitted by Nora Apter on

Oregon’s 2025 legislative session delivered mixed results for climate progress. Sound familiar? That’s because this is the second year in a row that Oregon lawmakers fell short of delivering the bold investments and climate action this moment demands. While we secured hard-fought wins and defended against serious threats that would unwind existing progress, this was far from a banner year for climate action in Oregon. Still, this session laid important groundwork, and we have a clear call to action for the road ahead.
Read More

budget plan on a chalk board

Tell Oregon lawmakers: We need a strong Climate Justice Budget in 2025!

Submitted by Nora Apter on

Federal climate rollbacks threaten our progress — and Oregon families can’t wait for clean energy, affordable heating and cooling, and climate resilience. Lawmakers are finalizing the state budget for the next two years. Now is the time to speak up for a strong Climate Justice Budget that protects communities, lowers energy bills, and creates clean energy jobs across the state
Read More