What's New
Our understanding of the global need to act, and the state of renewable energy policy and news are rapidly evolving in Oregon, nationally and internationally. This monthly resource will keep you up-to-date with what's new both in OREP and renwewable energy conversations from around the planet.
From local communities to national policy decisions, informed and engaged citizens will advance the transition to locally-owned and locally-generated clean renewable energy. We encourage you to check back regularly.
March 2015
3/25/15
Policy Basics: Oregon FiT Resources
PUC Order to Determine VIR Rates for May 1, 2015 Enrollment Window; Oregon Public Utility Commission, Mar 25, 2015
RE News: Energy
Why Minnesota's Community Solar Program is the Best; John Farrell, Institute for Local Self-Reilance, Mar 18, 2015
Policy News: Utility Adaptation
Are fixed charges a curse in disguise for investor-owned utilities?; James Tong, Jon Wellinghoff, Utility Dive, Mar 25, 2015
3/18/15
RE News: Energy
Utilities experience competition, don't like it, run crying to regulators; David Roberts, grist, Mar 18, 2015
Senator: US must adapt to distributed generation, not 'strangle it in its crib'; Esther Whieldon, SNL Financial, Mar 17, 2015
Utilities wage campaign against rooftop solar; Joby Warrick, The Washington Post, Mar 7, 2015
RE News: Solar
Solar Parity Coming Faster Than Expected; John Farrell Mar 6, 2015
Policy News: Utility Adaptation
Are We Sunk? The Electric Utility's Titanic Problem; John Farrell , Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Feb 6, 2015
3/17/15
Policy News: Utility Adaptation
New York Just Reached A Major Landmark in Electricity System Evolution; Lena Hansen & Virginia Lacey, Rocky Mountain Institute, Mar 11, 2015
Bringing Shared Solar to Scale; Mathias Bell, Rocky Mountain Institute, Feb 12, 2015
Will the Electricity Grid Become Optional?; Leia Guccione & Peter Bronski, Rocky Mountain Institute, Feb 25, 2014
3/12/15
RE News: Wind
Energy Department Says Wind Could Make Up 35% of US Electricity Generation by 2050; Julia Pyper, GreenTech Media, Mar 12, 2015
RE News: Energy
No time for fact checking at the New York Times; Craig Morris, Renewables International, Mar 4, 2015
RE News: Utility Adaptation
In New York, utility of the future will be 'air traffic controller'; David Savenije, Utility Dive, Mar 12, 2015
World FiT News
Banff harnesses power of the sun; Cathy Ellis, Rocky Mountain Outlook, Feb 26, 2015
3/12/15
US FiT News
Where's the Solar? How Los Angeles Can Utilize All Those Empty Rooftops; Tam Hunt, GreenTech Media, Feb 26, 2015
RE News: Wind
U.S. way behind in small wind market; Barbara Vergetis Lundin, Fierce Energy, Mar 11, 2015
RE News: Solar
Solar made up 32% of all new U.S. generating capacity in 2014; Herman K. Trabish, Utility Dive, Mar 10, 2015
The US Installed 6.2GW of Solar in 2014, Up 30% Over 2013; Mike Munsell, GreenTech Media, Mar 10, 2015
The Great Solar Panel Debate: To Lease Or To Buy?; Jeff Brady, National Public Radio, Feb 10, 2015
US: Solar better investment than stocks, study finds; Ian Clover, PV Magazine, Jan 14, 2015
RE News: Energy
Exelon-backed bill seeks $2 more a month for nuclear plants; Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, Feb 27, 2015
Burning Trees for Electricity Is Actually Dirtier Than Coal; Peter Lehner, Natural Resources Defense Council (via EcoWatch), Feb 20, 2015
3/11/15
Environment: Climate
Oregon Legislative District Climate Impact Summaries; Southern Oregon Climate Action Now, Jan 2015
RE News: Wind
Over 350,000 Acres Leased off Massachusetts Coast for Offshore Wind; Oceana, Jan 30, 2015
RE News: Solar
Australia installs over 800 MW in small-scale solar in 2014; Jonathon Gifford, PV Magazine, Jan 15, 2015
3/03/15
Policy News: Utility Adaptation
Hello Local Energy, Bye Old Power Industry, Say New York Regulators with Key Vote; Elisa Wood, Microgrid Knowledge, Feb 27, 2015
Policy News: RE Policy Innovation
White House announces plan to train 50,000 people, including veterans, to install solar panels; Josh Lederman, Associated Press (via OPB), Sept 18, 2014
California Encourages West-facing Solar Panels; Christopher Minott, Renewable Energy World, Sept 11, 2014
2/27/15
RE News: Energy
6 charts that show renewable energy is getting cheaper; David Roberts, grist.org, Feb 3, 2015
Policy News: RE Policy Innovation | Community RE
California communities seize control of their energy futures; David Roberts grist.org, Feb 25, 2015
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OREP's Vision for a sustainable, decentralized energy future:
- A sustainable economy with family-wage, energy jobs throughout the state
- Farmers, ranchers, tribes, and rural communities harnessing Oregon's abundant and varied renewable resources
- Private and community ownership of solar panels across the built environment
- Local financing of renewable energy projects keeping energy dollars recirculating in Oregon
- Flourishing renewable energy industries across the state
- Energy-informed voter support for renewable energy
- A healthy environment, minimally impacted by energy production
Note: OREP is no longer an active organization. We chose to leave our website up for the time being for the archival value it provides. 
Oregonians for Renewable Energy Progress