SB 339A Caps Biomass as Renewable Energy

VOTE:NO – Passed – Signed by Gov

Status (overview) of bill:https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Measures/Overview/SB339


This bill caps electricity generated by any single biomass facility that may be used to meet renewable standards in order to promote diversity of resource types that can be used to comply with Oregon’s small-scale renewable energy requirement.

Personal Choice and Responsibility
Limits the sources of renewable energy may be most efficient and productive for the area driving up prices. The bill declares an emergency that eliminates public appeal.

Limited Government
In 2016, Senate Bill 1547 mandated that 8% of the aggregate electrical capacity of all electric companies that sell to 25,000 or more customers must come from small-scale renewable energy projects (20MW or less) that generate electricity using biomass that also generate thermal energy for a secondary purpose. The legislation was passed with no cap on the contribution from biomass cogeneration facilities. In order to ensure that the 8% small-scale requirement is met with a diverse set of resources, SB 339A amends the 8% community-based renewable energy requirement to specify that regardless of a facility's nameplate capacity, the facility may be used to comply with requirement for up to 20 megawatts of capacity. The Act also specifies that to qualify as a small-scale renewable energy project the electricity generated must be from a type of energy that may be used to comply with the Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Local Control
Bill limits a rural area from developing a successful cost effective biomass energy that would benefit the community. Forcing diversity will force support of small projects, especially solar and wind energy projects, but may not be the best source for an area.

Free Markets
Limits the natural market growth of successful production of energy for an area.

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