Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Biofuels Program Impact Studies

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) must conduct periodic impact studies related to the biofuels industry in the state. These studies should evaluate such criteria as: jobs created; current and projected feedstock availability; amount of biofuels blends produced and consumed in the state; cost comparison of biofuels blends and petroleum fuel; environmental impacts; and the extent to which Oregon producers import biofuels or biofuels feedstocks from outside the state. ODOE issued the first Biofuels Impact Study in 2010 and will conduct a study every two years through January 1, 2025. (Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 469B.400)

Clean Transportation Fuel Standards

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers the Oregon Clean Fuels Program (Program), which requires fuel producers and importers to register, keep records of, and report the volumes and carbon intensities of the fuels they provide in Oregon. Phase 2 of the Program, implemented in 2016, requires fuel suppliers to reduce the carbon content of transportation fuels.

In 2020, a new goal was implemented to reduce the carbon content of transportation fuels by 20% below 2015 levels by 2030, and 25% below 2015 levels by 2035.

DEQ must conduct rulemaking for the Program to support greater plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) adoption. DEQ must also develop a method to aggregate and monetize all eligible PEV credits in the Program to assist in achieving the state goal of 50,000 registered PEVs in Oregon by 2020. For more information, see the DEQ Oregon Clean Fuels Program website.

(Reference Executive Order 20-04, 2020, Oregon Revised Statutes 468A.266, and Oregon Administrative Rules 340-253)

Public Utility Definition and Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Charging Rate Regulations

Regulated electric utility tariffs must explicitly permit customers to resell electricity for use as a motor fuel, as long as the entity is not considered a public utility as defined in Oregon Revised Statutes 757.005 and does not provide any utility service. Additionally, each regulated electric utility must provide customers with a choice of flat rate or time of use electricity rates specific to PEV owners. Finally, an investor-owned utility can own and operate PEV charging equipment using its own funds or petition the Oregon Public Utilities Commission for rate recovery. (Reference Public Utility Commission of Oregon Order No. 12-013, 2012)

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Support

Oregon joined California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the deployment of ZEVs through involvement in a ZEV Program Implementation Task Force (Task Force). In May 2014, the Task Force published a ZEV Action Plan (Plan) identifying 11 priority actions to accomplish the goals of the MOU, including deploying at least 3.3 million ZEVs and adequate fueling infrastructure within the signatory states by 2025. The Plan also includes a research agenda to inform future actions. On an annual basis, each state must report on the number of registered ZEVs, the number of public electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and hydrogen fueling stations, and available information regarding workplace fueling for ZEVs.

In June 2018, the Task Force published a new ZEV Action Plan for 2018-2021. Building on the 2014 Action Plan, the 2018 Action Plan makes recommendations for states and other key partners in five priority areas:

• Raising consumer awareness and interest in electric vehicle technology;
• Building out a reliable and convenient residential, workplace and public charging/fueling infrastructure network;
• Continuing and improving access to consumer purchase and non-financial incentives;
• Expanding public and private sector fleet adoption; and
• Supporting dealership efforts to increase ZEV sales.

For more information, see the Multi-State ZEV Task Force website.

Support for Autonomous Vehicles (AVs)

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) established a Task Force on AVs to develop recommendations for AV legislation to address licensing and registration, law enforcement and accident reporting, cybersecurity, and insurance and liability. The Task Force on AVs submitted a report to the Legislative Assembly on proposed recommendations, and a report on the potential long-term effect of AVs. (Reference Oregon Law 94, 2018)

Support for Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Adoption

In order to support the state goal of at least 50,000 PEVs registered and operating in Oregon by 2020, the Zero-Emission Vehicle Working Group (Working Group) will develop goals and progress metrics for PEV adoption. The Working Group will include representatives from the Departments of Administrative Services, Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Quality, and the Oregon Public Utility Commission. The Working Group will aim to remove barriers to PEVs and PEV charging stations and share information about their efforts with the public. More information can be found on the Go Electric Oregon website. (Reference Executive Order 17-21, 2017)

Volkswagen (VW) Settlement Allocation

The Department Environmental Quality (DEQ), with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE), and Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division, engaged stakeholders and received public comments to inform the development of a plan to leverage up to 15% of the VW Environmental Mitigation Trust to support vehicle electrification. The plan includes the development and maintenance of plug-in electric vehicle charging stations, with a focus on rural and low-income communities.

ODOT, with ODOE, DEQ, the Public Utility Commission, and local governments, must develop proposals for future 30-month investment periods of Electrify America's Zero-Emission Vehicle Investment Plan. More information can be found on the Go Electric Oregon website. (Reference Executive Order 17-21, 2017)

Mandatory Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Building Standards

The Oregon Department of Business and Consumer Services, Building Code Division, must amend the state building code to require that all newly constructed residential and commercial building parking structures can support the installation of at least one level 2 EVSE by October 1, 2022. (Reference Executive Order 17-21, 2017)

Establishment of Recognition Programs for Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Adoption

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) must design and establish Governor's Awards for automobile dealerships to encourage sales of PEVs. ODOE must also design and establish Governor's Awards for businesses and organizations that support PEV adoption through installing charging infrastructure and using PEVs in their fleets. More information, including nomination forms, can be found on the Go Electric Oregon website. (Reference Executive Order 17-21, 2017)

Support for Zero-Emission Buses

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE), with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Public Utility Commission (PUC), Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the Department of Education, must develop tools and provide assistance to school districts about using zero-emission bus options when replacing school buses.

ODOT, with ODOE, PUC, and DEQ, must develop tools and best practices to help transit agencies when making decisions about using zero-emission buses in transit fleets. ODOT must also work with transit agencies, ODOE, DEQ, and the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division to access the environmental, public health, and financial benefits of an accelerated transition to zero-emission buses.

(Reference Executive Order 17-21, 2017)

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) will monitor state ZEV adoption goal progress for registered vehicles, new vehicle purchases, and the state fleet. The state established the following goals for registered vehicles

• By 2020, 50,000 registered vehicles will be ZEV;
• By 2025, 250,000 registered vehicles with be ZEV; and
• By 2030, 25% of vehicles registered will be ZEV.

In addition, the state established the following goals for new vehicle purchases:

• By 2030, 50% of all new vehicle purchases will be ZEV; and
• By 2035, 90% of all new vehicle purchases will be ZEV.

By 2029, all state fleet vehicles should be ZEVs. ODOE must submit a biannual report by September 15 on the status of ZEV adoption. If ZEV adoption goals are not met, ODOE report must include strategies for increased adoption rates.

(Reference Oregon Revised Statutes 283.327 and 283.398)

Support for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) will develop rules for RNG distribution programs for both small and large utilities. Rules must include reporting requirement guidelines and a rate recovery costs process. The PUC must establish rate caps for small natural gas utilities.

The PUC has established voluntary RNG target distribution goals for large utilities that participate in the RNG program under the following schedule:

(Reference Oregon Oregon Revised Statutes 757.396)

State Emissions Reductions and Reporting Requirements

Oregon will pursue transportation electrification as part of greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of at least 45% below 1990 levels by 2035, and at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Select state agencies must report actions to reduce emissions annually. In consultation with appropriate state agencies, the Oregon Department of Transportation must submit a report to the governor on statewide transportation electrification infrastructure analysis by June 30, 2021. Additional requirements apply. (Reference Executive Order 20-04, 2020)

Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Support

California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington (signatory states) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the deployment of medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs through involvement in a Multi-State ZEV Task Force (Task Force).

By January 2021, the Task Force will develop a multi-state action plan to support electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The Task Force will consider actions to accomplish the goals of the MOU, including limiting all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sales in the signatory states to ZEVs by 2050. The signatory states will also seek to accelerate the deployment of medium-duty and heavy-duty ZEVs to benefit disadvantaged communities and explore opportunities to coordinate and partner with key stakeholders.

For more information, see the Multi-State Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle MOU.