Republican State Senator Todd Nash from Enterprise, with support from other senators in his party, has introduced Senate Bill 1034 to modify the energy project siting authority of the state’s Energy Facility Siting Council. Specifically, Nash’s bill would require the approval from every affected local government before EFSC could approve an energy facility within its jurisdiction.
EFSC exists specifically to address the challenge of getting land use approval from multiple local governments for energy facilities sited across jurisdictional lines. In other words, it is a “one-stop shop” for land use permitting for energy facilities. But this does not mean that local regulations are ignored. To the contrary, EFSC’s procedures provide ample safeguards to ensure that local input and comment is considered: local governments are notified whenever an EFSC project is proposed within its boundaries, local authorities are consulted and local public meetings are held, and local officials and residents may submit comments. Ultimately, however, EFSC exists to balance competing local concerns and statewide goals to reach decisions benefiting the entire state.
If passed, SB 1034 will take away this important balancing authority. Instead, any multi-jurisdictional project will need to get separate approval from each affected jurisdiction, some of which have not taken statewide energy and climate policy into account in their local comprehensive plans and zoning codes. Many smaller jurisdictions also do not have the staff capacity or expertise to evaluate large, complex proposals that cross city limits and county lines. Local resistance to change can also carry more sway at the local level, diminishing the consideration of statewide needs.
Oregon has adopted ambitious goals and policies to reduce carbon emissions and expand the use of renewable energy. EFSC’s focus on statewide needs and its ability to balance competing concerns is crucial tool in converting those goals and policies to reality. SB 1034 would give local jurisdictions veto power over projects designed to advance statewide interests. This would result in greater delays, greater expense, additional legal battles and fewer steps being taken to combat climate change. Renewable energy advocates like Renewable Northwest and the Oregon Solar & Storage Industries Association oppose SB 1034. The Legislature should reject this effort to move backwards on our progress towards our climate goals and reject SB 1034.
