Legislation to curb carbon dioxide emissions is on the docket at the state, regional and federal levels. At PGE, we're advocating for sensible government policies on climate change. One of the biggest challenges is how to make meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while managing costs.

Electricity generation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon after vehicles. PGE is engaged in climate change policymaking and you can help.

Pending congressional legislation
PGE is advocating for greenhouse policies that achieve meaningful reductions while maximizing opportunities to manage costs for our customers.

Emerging legislation would cap emissions, allow trading Congress is considering a number of different proposals that would impose mandatory reductions of greenhouse gases. PGE was the first utility in the Northwest to publicly support federal caps on carbon emissions. In this scenario, the government sets an emissions cap that is lowered over time. Limited, tradable emission allowances can be auctioned or provided free by the government.

Trading these emissions allowances (just like carbon offsets or green tags are today) would permit them to be obtained in the cheapest way possible. PGE advocates a “safety valve” cost control mechanism to protect the larger economy and ward against design flaws such as spikes in the prices of carbon credits/allowances in the early years.

Additional PGE efforts
To combat climate change and introduce cleaner energy options, PGE is working on a number of fronts, including:

• Lobbying for a national policy to reduce greenhouse gases
• Advocating for new energy efficiency solutions for customers
• Boosting our wind resources
• Making PGE hydropower more fish friendly, qualifying it as a “low impact” renewable resource
• Promoting renewable programs that avoid carbon emissions

What you can do
On the political front, we invite you to join us and promote your interests on climate change issues by contacting elected officials and building coalitions to unify the voice of business. Express your support for:

• Cap and trade legislation with a safety valve to limit costs
• R&D funding for carbon capture and low-carbon technologies
• Tax incentives for renewables and other low-carbon technologies

For more information on PGE and climate change, visit our Current Issues section.