HB 4031
Exempts an energy facility from needing a site certificate from the Energy Facility Siting Council if the energy facility produces power from a renewable energy source, qualifies for certain federal renewable energy tax credits and is placed in service on or before December 31, 2030, or a date allowed by exception and a local land use application for the facility is submitted on or before December 31, 2028.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2026 Regular Session
At the request of
(at the request of House Interim Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment for Representative John Lively)
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
53%
Oppose
47%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill temporarily exempts certain energy facilities producing renewable energy from needing a full site certificate from the Energy Facility Siting Council. Specifically, facilities producing power from sources like solar, wind, or geothermal, that qualify for federal tax credits, and that have begun construction by December 31, 2028, and have a local land use application submitted by that date, are exempt. This change aims to streamline the permitting process for renewable energy projects while ensuring local land use considerations are addressed. The bill also includes provisions for standby generation facilities and clarifies exemptions for related infrastructure.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsor
Energy, and Environment House Interim Committee on Climate
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of HB 4031 urge the passage of this bill as a necessary measure to address the impact of federal clean energy policy changes on Oregon's renewable energy deployment and job creation. They argue that the bill would provide a temporary county permitting pathway for large-scale renewable energy projects, allowing them to responsibly leverage expiring federal tax credits while upholding environmental considerations and public engagement standards. This approach is seen as crucial in facilitating the development of lower-cost clean energy and creating jobs, particularly in light of Oregon's ambitious 2040 goal and potential bottlenecks in the EFSC permitting process. By streamlining the permitting process, HB 4031 is expected to benefit economic development and align with Governor Kotek's priority to stimulate the state's business sector, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future for Oregon.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
ing opposition to HB 4031 cite concerns over granting tax dollars to volatile energy sources, arguing that this approach wastes public funds and fails to prioritize making energy affordable for citizens. Many believe that legislators should focus on developing more cost-effective solutions to reduce energy costs, rather than relying on credits for unstable energy sources. Additionally, some testifiers note that the bill may not comply with federal law regarding solar and wind credits, issued by President Trump's executive order, potentially forcing local governments to disregard the wishes of their residents.
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