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	PGE Energy Strategy Creating a sustainable, diverse, affordable energy future for Oregon
PGE at a Glance Corporate Information Generation & Transmission Awards & Recognition Careers News & Issues News Room Current Issues Determining Energy Prices Help for Tough Times Plug-in Charging Stations PGE Energy Strategy Climate Change & PGE Learn About Energy Smart Meters Boardman Plant Air Emissions Investor Relations Community & Environment Contact Us	How will PGE serve customers in the future? We know demand for electricity is growing. In fact, projections show more than a 45 percent load growth for PGE during the next 20 years. Existing resources alone are not enough to meet that demand. PGE has developed an Integrated Resource Plan outlining our strategy for meeting future energy needs. See sidebar at right for details. Seeking sustainable, affordable resources As we work to secure Oregon’s energy future, PGE is committed to finding sustainable and affordable options to fill the gap and meet our customers’ electricity needs. As we consider new resources to add to our generation mix, we are continuously researching, monitoring and analyzing new renewable options. PGE is already investing in renewable power projects, such as our Biglow Canyon Wind Farm. It’s just one part of the diverse, multipronged approach PGE has mapped out for future energy planning. Other steps include: Providing energy-efficiency information to help customers save money and reduce their carbon footprints. PGE continues to advocate energy efficiency as one of the most cost-effective, sustainable energy resources available. Upgrading existing power plants to be more efficient. Investing in transmission system improvements to better serve customers and deliver power from new resources. Installing remote-read smart meters that benefit the environment. This will allow us to reduce our meter-reading vehicle fleet, cutting 1.2 million miles of driving. Smart meters will also eventually give customers detailed information to help them save energy. Creating a distributed-generation network by tapping customers’ stand-by generators to meet peak demand. Offering renewable-power choices for homes and businesses, which help foster the development of more renewable resources. Encouraging new technologies such as solar power projects, plug-in electric vehicles, wave energy and even carbon-eating algae (PDF). Analyzing and advocating for policies and legislation, at the state and federal levels, that benefit our customers and meet Oregon’s energy needs in an increasingly sustainable way. See our section on climate change advocacy. Our changing energy mix Below are charts of the PGE energy mix in 2010 and 2015. From 2010 to 2015, customer energy-efficiency measures are expected to reduce our projected power growth by 191 megawatts. PGE 2010 resource mix¹ PGE 2015 resource mix¹ 1. After economic dispatch. Based on Integrated Resource Plan data tracking annual energy needs on an expected basis. *Wind includes 50 megawatts of low-impact hydro and 9 megawatts of hydro plant upgrades that will count as renewables under Oregon’s Renewable Energy Standard.		Integrated Resource Plan update On April 2, PGE submitted a proposal to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality asking for rule revisions that would allow us to meet environmental rules related to haze-causing emissions by closing the Boardman plant in 2020. See news release and proposal to DEQ (228-page PDF). As part of the proposal, PGE would switch to a lower sulfur coal that would reduce sulfur dioxide emissions 50 percent by 2014. PGE has filed an addendum (PDF) to our Integrated Resource Plan, requesting acknowledgement of a 2020 closure date contingent on DEQ approval of revised rules. See news release. In January, PGE announced it would be updating its Integrated Resource Plan to pursue an alternative operating plan for the Boardman Power Plant that could involve either ceasing operations in 2020 or discontinuing the use of pulverized coal to generate electricity and switching to an alternative fuel source. If agreement on an alternative plan can’t be reached, PGE will continue to seek approval for installation of all required emissions controls and continued operation of the plant — the best option available to customers under current state rules. PGE intends to work with the Oregon Public Utility Commission to establish a new schedule for review of resource planning decisions regarding the Boardman Plant. In November, PGE filed its draft Integrated Resource Plan with the Oregon Public Utility Commission to guide resource decisions through the year 2020. The plan was developed through a public planning process to determine how to best meet our future energy needs. Related documents: Letter to OPUC (PDF) — announcing plans to pursue an alternative plan for the Boardman Plant Oregonian editorial, Jan. 19 Oregonian news article, Jan. 14 Issues in Perspective (PDF) — Frequently asked questions about the plan 2009 Integrated Resource Plan (PDF) — Note: An updated plan which will include information about PGE’s alternative Boardman Plant operating plan is still in development Portland Tribune guest editorial (PDF) by Jim Piro, PGE president and CEO News release PGE’s draft plan calls for: All energy-efficiency measures identified as achievable by Energy Trust of Oregon — enough to meet nearly half of PGE’s load growth from now through 2020 New renewable resources to meet Oregon’s renewable energy standard requirements on or ahead of schedule Demand-side resources — measures that can reliably deliver short-term reductions in customer demand to help manage loads during peak periods New, efficient natural gas-fired generation with state-of-the-art turbines and pollution controls to serve additional load growth and maintain reliability standards. This would include 300 to 500 megawatts of baseload capacity and 100 to 200 megawatts of flexible peak load resources. Short- and mid-term market purchases The draft plan called for installation of major air emissions controls on our coal-fired generating plant in Boardman to comply with rules adopted by the state Environmental Quality Commission in spring 2009. The controls would enable continued operations, with an 80-percent reduction in haze-causing emissions and a 90-percent reduction in mercury emissions — aggressive reductions that reflect some of the most stringent standards in the country. New transmission capacity to help meet growing energy needs, enable development of more renewable power projects and enhance reliability of the electrical grid Slide presentations from Integrated Resource Plan public stakeholder meetings are posted for reference.