In Salem, Oregon, an initiative to allow hydroelectric energy from dams built before 1995 has been approved to seek signatures to get on the 2014 ballot. In 2007, renewable portfolio standards were set that mandated for 15 percent of utilities’ energy to be renewable by 2015 and 25 percent by 2025. Energy gained from dams was specifically excluded from the mandate because the spirit of the mandate was to look toward creating renewable energy for the future rather than congratulating themselves for what was done in the past. Allowing hydroelectric energy from dams will help utilities, especially smaller utilities, to actually achieve the mandate’s goals.
Read the full article here: Renewable Energy Initiative Approved for Signature Gathering
