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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW UPDATED: Wounded Idaho pastor regains consciousness; suspect arrested in D.C. ... Hearts With a Mission expanding to Grants Pass ... String of storms expected to bring wind and rain ... UPDATED: Wounded Idaho pastor regains consciousness; suspect arrested in D.C. ... Hearts With a Mission expanding to Grants Pass ... String of storms expected to bring wind and rain ... SALEM Oregon lawmakers approve pioneering pro-climate coal bill Comment By Kristena Hansen The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Kristena Hansen The Associated Press Posted Mar. 2, 2016 at 5:26 PM By Kristena Hansen The Associated Press Posted Mar. 2, 2016 at 5:26 PM » Social News SALEM — Oregon lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to pioneering legislation that will eliminate coal from the state's energy supply by 2030 and provide half of customers' power with renewable sources by 2040. The measure passed by the Oregon Senate underscores a leadership role on environmental issues the state has staked out over the years. The state House of Representatives approved the bill Tuesday. It makes Oregon the first state to eliminate coal by legislative action, and places it among a handful of other states with renewable energy standards 50 percent or higher. Gov. Kate Brown seemed to indicate in a statement she would sign the bill. She said it "equips Oregon with a bold and progressive path towards the energy resource mix of the future." Environmentalists and clean energy groups tout the proposal as one of the strongest pieces of pro-climate legislation the U.S. has seen in years. "In terms of the coal phase-out, this really is precedent-setting," said Jeff Deyette, senior energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists who is an expert in state and federal policies on renewable energy and energy efficiency. He said Oregon's move could "set new precedents for leadership in terms of transitioning to a truly low-carbon energy economy." The legislation was hammered out between representatives of the state's two largest utilities, Portland General Electric and Pacific Power, and consumer advocates and environmental groups. The Legislature's minority Republicans tried to fight the legislation, using delaying tactics to try to keep it from coming to a Senate floor vote before the legislative session adjourns this week. GOP lawmakers voiced worry about the cost to consumers in the long run and questioned whether the benefits to the environment are being overstated. "Oregonians are being sold a bill of goods with claims that this new mandate will reduce carbon emissions, when in reality we will see no improvement in pollution from emissions," said state Senate Republican Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli. By Kristena Hansen The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Kristena Hansen The Associated Press Posted Mar. 2, 2016 at 5:26 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501