Otis Singleton
Oregon's energy resources are diverse, with hydroelectric power providing the largest share of the state's electricity generation. However, coal-fired power has also played a significant role in Oregon's energy mix. In 2016, 34% of Oregon's power came from burning coal, and coal fueled about 10% of the state's in-state net generation two decades ago. Oregon's only coal-fired power plant, the Boardman facility, closed in October 2020, and the state no longer has any active commercial coal mines. While Oregon imports coal-generated electricity from neighboring states, it is also a leading producer and exporter of renewable energy, particularly hydropower.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Coal-fired power plants in Oregon | Oregon's only coal-fired power plant, the 575-MW Boardman facility, closed in October 2020 |
| Coal-generated electricity imported from other states | 88.6% of coal-based electricity in Oregon is imported |
| Coal reserves in Oregon | Oregon has few remaining coal reserves and no active commercial coal mines |
| Electricity generation from coal | In 2016, 34% of Oregon's power mix came from the burning of coal; in 2023, coal no longer fuelled any in-state generation |
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What You'll Learn
Oregon's Boardman coal-fired power plant closed in 2020
Oregon's Boardman coal-fired power plant, located 11 miles southwest of the town of Boardman, closed on October 15, 2020, marking the end of coal-fired energy production in the state. The plant was owned and operated by Portland General Electric, which agreed to shut it down ahead of schedule as part of a landmark 2010 legal agreement to reduce air pollution.
The Boardman Coal Plant was built in the late 1970s to meet Oregon's growing energy demands and provide more energy choices. Over the years, it faced a combination of lawsuits and political pressure from environmental advocates, who cited it as the state's biggest single-point source of pollution. The plant's closure was a significant win for the fight against climate change, with expectations to eliminate around 2 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
While the closure was celebrated by environmentalists, it also had its downsides. The plant employed many people, offering good wages and a low cost of living in Eastern Oregon. The average salary for employees was approximately $90,000 per year, and the loss of these jobs created a difficult situation for those who had worked there for years.
Following the closure of the Boardman plant, Oregon's energy mix in 2023 consisted of 42.1% hydroelectric, 38.1% natural gas, 14.7% wind, 3.2% solar, 1.6% biomass, and 0.4% geothermal power. The state also continues to receive coal-fired electricity from power plants in other states.
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Oregon imports coal-generated electricity from other states
Oregon's only coal-fired power plant, the 575-MW Boardman facility, was closed and demolished in 2020. As a result, coal no longer fuels any in-state electricity generation in Oregon. However, Oregon does import coal-generated electricity from neighbouring states.
In 2023, natural gas-fired power plants provided 38% of Oregon's total net electricity generation, making it the second-largest source of electricity in the state. Non-hydroelectric renewable resources, such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal power, provided the rest of Oregon's total generation, about 21% in 2023. Hydroelectric power is typically the largest source of electricity in Oregon, providing more than half of the state's total net electricity generation. However, in three of the past five years, it supplied less than half due to abnormally dry weather and drought.
Oregon's electricity generation mix in 2023 was 42.1% hydroelectric, 38.1% natural gas, 14.7% wind, 3.2% solar, 1.6% biomass, and 0.4% geothermal. The state also has two geothermal electric generation facilities with a capacity of 24 MW. Additionally, Oregon has 11 biomass and 30 biogas operating facilities that convert waste products into electricity.
Oregon imports most of the natural gas it consumes for electricity generation and as a direct fuel. Natural gas supplies enter the state through interstate pipelines, primarily from western Canada via Washington, and from domestic sources through Nevada and Idaho. While Oregon has a diverse energy portfolio, it imports electricity from all over the western US, including coal-based electricity.
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Hydropower is assumed to be Oregon's main energy source
Oregon's only coal-fired power plant was closed down in 2020, and coal no longer fuels any in-state generation. Instead, natural gas fuels the second-largest share of Oregon's electricity generation. In 2023, natural gas-fired power plants provided 38% of the state's total net generation.
In 2023, the electrical energy generation mix was 42.1% hydroelectric, 38.1% natural gas, 14.7% wind, 3.2% solar, 1.6% biomass, and 0.4% geothermal. Oregon's four largest power plants by capacity and generation—John Day, The Dalles, Bonneville, and McNary—are on the Columbia River and are all at federally owned and operated dams.
Oregon's renewable fuel standard requires, with few exceptions, that motor gasoline sold in the state contain a minimum of 10% fuel ethanol. There is one fuel ethanol production plant in Oregon, which meets about one-fifth of the state's needs. Additional fuel ethanol supplies primarily come by rail from the Midwest. Diesel fuel sold in Oregon must be blended with at least 5% biodiesel.
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Oregon's nuclear power comes from Washington State
Oregon's only nuclear power plant, the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant, was a pressurized water reactor located southeast of Rainier, Oregon. The plant faced much public opposition from the design stage, with non-violent protests taking place as early as 1977. After 16 years of irregular service, the plant was closed permanently in 1992 by its operator, Portland General Electric (PGE), following the discovery of cracks in the steam generator tubing. The decommissioning and demolition of the plant began the following year and were largely completed in 2006.
The Trojan Nuclear Power Plant generated 1,095 MW of electricity during its years of operation from 1976 to 1992. In 2005, the reactor vessel and other radioactive equipment were removed from the site, transported by barge along the Columbia River to Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington State, and buried in a pit covered with gravel. This made it the first commercial nuclear power plant to be decommissioned and removed from service in Oregon.
Oregon currently has no commercial nuclear power plants in operation and no nuclear power reactors. The state's electricity generation mix in 2023 consisted primarily of natural gas (38.1%), hydroelectric power (42.1%), and non-hydroelectric renewable resources such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal power (21%).
While Oregon does not have any nuclear power plants, it is important to note that the state has made significant progress in renewable energy sources. In 2019, Oregon was one of the top five states in the US for its share of renewable electricity generation. The state also has the nation's greatest wind and geothermal resources, with the high desert country and uplands of southern and eastern Oregon being potential sites for further solar and geothermal energy development.
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Oregon's energy resources are diverse
Oregon's only coal-fired power plant, the 575-MW Boardman facility, closed in October 2020 and was demolished in September 2022. While the state no longer has any coal-fired power plants, it does import coal-generated electricity from neighbouring states. In 2016, 34% of Oregon’s power mix came from the burning of coal. Coal was mined in southwest Oregon from the mid-19th century until the 1920s, but the state has few remaining coal reserves today.
Oregon also has a significant number of renewable energy resources. The state has 11 biomass and 30 biogas operating facilities that convert waste products into electricity. In addition, Oregon produces plant-derived ethanol fuel and biodiesel from used cooking oil, which are used as transportation fuels. The state's renewable fuel standard requires that motor gasoline sold in the state contain a minimum of 10% fuel ethanol. The state also has a biodiesel plant in Portland that collects used cooking oils and grease from restaurants and other businesses as feedstock.
Oregon also exports and imports a significant amount of electricity. The state imports all its petroleum and coal, and almost all of the natural gas used to generate electricity at in-state facilities. Oregon also imports electricity from all over the western US, with 57% of wind generation, 34.4% of hydroelectric generation, 16.7% of solar generation, 88.6% of coal-based electricity, and 100% of nuclear electricity coming from other states.
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Frequently asked questions
Oregon's only coal-fired power plant, the 575-MW Boardman facility, was closed in October 2020 and demolished in September 2022. Therefore, coal no longer fuels any in-state electricity generation. However, Oregon does import coal-generated electricity from neighbouring states.
Hydroelectric power provides the largest share of the electricity generated in Oregon. In 2023, hydroelectric power accounted for 42% of Oregon's total electricity generation. Natural gas fuels the second-largest share of Oregon's electricity generation, providing 38% of the state's total net generation in 2023.
Oregon is one of the leading producers of renewable energy in the country. The state has an abundance of renewable energy resources, including wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal power. In 2023, non-hydroelectric renewable resources provided about 21% of Oregon's total generation.
Oregon both imports and exports a significant amount of electricity. The state imports electricity from all over the western U.S. and exports large amounts of the renewable electricity it generates, particularly from hydropower.
