Power crisis could come soon without legislative action
By Terry Murry on Thursday, August 3rd, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The state of Oregon has set dates over the next few years by which facilities that produce electricity with carbon as a byproduct must cease operations. Pendleton City Manager Robb Corbett says he learned at the recent convention of city managers that unless something is done, Oregon faces an extreme energy shortage.
“We’re creating a shortage that is going to result in rolling blackouts like what we in Oregon have witnessed in other states – namely California,” he said.
Corbett said he agrees that carbon emissions are harmful, and he sees nothing wrong with closing plants down, but one thing needs to be done before they close.
“The simple solution is, let’s don’t eliminate the power production facilities that produce carbon until they’re replaced with a new green energy facility,” he said.
Corbett said there won’t be enough power to keep up with demand when it is extremely hot or cold.
“We’re going to go from a region of power surplus to power shortage,” he said.
Corbett and other city managers are calling for the Oregon Legislature to fix what could be a catastrophe of its own making.
