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.

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?

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.

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.

Salem, OR – In a major setback to clean air and climate progress, Oregon leaders today announced a two-year delay to the state’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule—bowing to pressure from fossil fuel interests and truck manufacturers as part of a nationally orchestrated multi-state campaign to derail the transition to cleaner electric vehicles. This delay strips the ACT rule of its regulatory teeth for two more years, rewards industry laggards, and directly undermines Oregon’s climate commitments, public health protections, and economic leadership.

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

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?

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.

Join Climate Solutions and our partners for the Building Resilience Lobby Day at the State Capitol on Wednesday, May 7. Together, we’ll talk to legislators in Salem and push for bold action on climate, energy-efficient housing, and energy justice.

The 2025 transmission package is moving through the Oregon Legislature—and two critical bills are coming up for key votes TOMORROW, Tuesday, April 8. By helping expand and modernize Oregon’s transmission capacity, these policies will help meet growing energy demands, increase resilience to severe weather events like wildfires, and deliver the benefits of new wind, solar, and other renewable resources to Oregon families and businesses.