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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 Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... OUR VIEW Our View: Every little bit helps in reducing emissions Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 9, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 9, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News When Oregon legislators were debating measures designed to reduce carbon emissions in the state, opponents of those bills frequently argued that nothing Oregon does, with a population of just 3 million people, would make any real difference in combating climate change. Solutions, critics said, needed to be national in scope. Don't look now, but President Obama announced a plan last week that takes just such a nationwide approach. And, as a result of steps Oregon lawmakers have already taken, this state is well positioned to comply with the president's Clean Power Plan, if it survives court challenges and is fully implemented. Oregon is not among the worst offenders among the states when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions. There is only one coal-fired power plant in Oregon, the Portland General Electric facility at Boardman, which is the state's largest emitter of CO2. PGE already has committed to stop burning coal at that plant by 2020. But that doesn't mean Oregon is off the hook. Pacific Power gets approximately 60 percent of its power from coal-fired plants in other states. The utility has pledged to close 10 coal plants by 2029 or convert them to natural gas. Carbon-reduction goals the state has set for itself are far more stringent than those in the Clean Power Plan, although slashing carbon dioxide outputs may be delayed if coal plant outputs are replaced with natural gas. Gas emits about half the carbon of coal, but methane is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and leakage of gas into the atmosphere from plants or pipelines can increase the state's carbon footprint. Ultimately, replacing fossil fuel power generation with renewable sources such as solar and wind — to the degree that's possible — will have the greatest impact on carbon emissions, and Oregon already requires its large utilities to get 25 percent of their power from renewables by 2025. It's true that Oregon's efforts, laudable as they are, won't have much effect on global carbon emissions by themselves. But combined with the other West Coast states and ultimately with the entire country, our state's contribution will be part of something much larger. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 9, 2015 at 12:01 AM » 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 2015 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