[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6126014,"mediaKeyId","2674049-ed9d28c8d070cc9eb3d8e2cad06a6908","parentId",2674049,"title","Agrivoltaics task force proposed to study co‑location of solar and farming in Oregon","audioSeconds",2506,"startMs",2854000,"endMs",5360000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674049-ed9d28c8d070cc9eb3d8e2cad06a6908&start=2854&end=5360","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674049-ed9d28c8d070cc9eb3d8e2cad06a6908/thumbnail_2854000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126014/Oregon/Agrivoltaics-task-force-proposed-to-study-colocation-of-solar-and-farming-in-Oregon","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126014-3d98599a2481fca5ddf6a942b85e95f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487875&Signature=CFAtBwsM6z3yE4XYORpgtwmmKHiRbk2VpamP6HoWCa4kKckIhLnQdkQPdJDfN8D53dg1Q5OlJo9EVUL-Z7JJtaVzo8908UVOT~8MnnBDdYx8ZAO4aQeGY907PN9DfVk3xFz2KlGQRyWXKvjvgZ83yYFAfYbfC35dAuZjZY0oh3IZJBzcHM3y-SWq-npB6DEnpczQV4k0xCA3qKpT0DOzLcTen5qT8OEyCmcWV1W4wm~~cQb72Ooppz96HTiXw8kt09gzrAs5VkDaj5trXcC4pokKPa2fxlIN6D4GoHAPJhsdLxDqzr~2NVAeow7B5PepvHnnAH7PAhvrQEAK47QYlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon State Legislature","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","Supporters of agrivoltaics told the House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on March 18 that colocating solar panels and agricultural production could increase land‑use efficiency, provide farmers new revenue streams and in some cases improve crop or livestock outcomes, but that state policy and permitting clarity are needed before the approach can scale in Oregon.

Representative Catherine Duvall testified on behalf of Senator Michael Dembrow and introduced House Bill 2063. HB 2063 would establish an 11‑member agrivoltaics task force, staffed by the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), required to report to the legislature by Dec. 15, 2026 and to sunset on Dec. 31, 2026.

OSU researcher Chad Higgins, who leads agrivoltaics demonstrations at Oregon State University’s North Willamette Agricultural Research Station, described agrivoltaics using the federal farm bill definition — integrated solar energy production and agricultural production on the same land throughout the project duration. Higgins said his decade of research shows agrivoltaics can relieve “light stress” on crops, produce measurable increases in yield or nutritional content for some crops, reduce irrigation needs and, in some designs, allow more efficient energy production from the array as well. He said designs can keep about 95% of land accessible to mechanized equipment in recommended configurations.

Farmer John Langdon, a fourth‑generation grower in Harrisburg, testified that agrivoltaics offers “innovation dollars” enabling experimentation and farm investment. Industry and nonprofit witnesses — including Oregon Solar and Storage Industries Association (OSEA), Renewable Northwest and Oregon Clean Power Cooperative — described demonstration projects already operating in Oregon and abroad, and recommended the task force examine permitting, siting, impacts on high‑value farmland, project size and mechanisms to ensure farming remains the primary use where agrivoltaics are sited.

Multiple witnesses noted current Oregon land‑use rules limit agrivoltaics on high‑value soils, and that existing processes such as Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) approvals or exceptions can be costly and lengthy. Several witnesses suggested the task force consider interconnection challenges, siting incentives, and whether some agrivoltaic configurations could be allowed by right in some locations. Testimony included examples: Oregon Clean Power Cooperative described community agrivoltaic projects in Aurora and Sherwood, including a microgrid on high‑value farmland that would not be allowed under current rules if connected directly to the grid.

1000 Friends of Oregon said it was neutral on the bill and urged careful member selection for the task force, suggesting including conservation district and American Farmland Trust representation. OSEA urged the task force be centered in the Oregon Department of Energy rather than DLCD to align with the department’s energy‑focused mission; Renewable Northwest emphasized the potential to increase land‑use efficiency and attract private capital when the policy pathway is clear.

HB 2063 was heard but not voted on March 18; committee members asked witnesses to consider interconnection, scale, and land‑use protections in the task force’s scope if enacted.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment 03/18/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Researchers, farmers and solar industry representatives told the House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on March 18 that agrivoltaics—the integrated, simultaneous use of land for solar energy and agriculture—can yield environmental and economic benefits but requires clearer state policy on siting, permitting and safeguarding farmland.","taxTitle","Climate, Energy, and Environment, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",17502,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126018,"Small cities push for lagoon‑specific operator certification as DEQ, test provider revise exams",2664,136000,2800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674049-ed9d28c8d070cc9eb3d8e2cad06a6908&start=136&end=2800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674049-ed9d28c8d070cc9eb3d8e2cad06a6908/thumbnail_136000.jpg","/articles/6126018/Oregon/Small-cities-push-for-lagoonspecific-operator-certification-as-DEQ-test-provider-revise-exams","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126018-22c32cc84d1298005581bafbe040e774/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487875&Signature=BHqU5SUQCCTrxjHlVJ9RQu4-YyVN3IkKP5rEfRTPmAXeKwBQYonTRdblmayGWC8VnIZh9vRmUiIIvflzuRo9v0ANc4vq0ftKOVzBo8o1AR4uuvJINcZFo0UQ~9jxgWakkOLe-T1uYqwVcAKoQap4PNZ1QFDX1cZzVj0RhZoIr6oBDHqPcTrX-fBsf0pH3Gl3eRCcfVNuYCXCcaMf0TXnm3TG8NTNJ1bjfKaaYy8sd6nBleBjNHxYdyHe4riDZTIXroMXy4VFlltiMGUIz5B4EpFGcO~DaK8ALPqkXOG8gpQ80L~yy6DPJw6X3pvOD4Q8olrIncwY81F5ri1~5jLxsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Ed Deal and a coalition of small cities urged the House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on March 18 to pass House Bill 3655, a proposal to require the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to develop an examination and certification program tailored to operators of lagoon wastewater treatment systems.

In testimony, lawmakers and municipal officials described a workforce bottleneck: small cities that operate lagoon systems face difficulty hiring and retaining operators because the state certification test is heavily weighted toward mechanical wastewater plants and contains questions unrelated to lagoon operation. Witnesses said low pass rates force cities to spend more on training, retain third‑party supervision while operators retrain, and absorb the operational costs of failed tests.

Representative Ed Deal (House District 17) said about 50 lagoon treatment facilities exist statewide and argued a targeted exam for lagoon systems is feasible and would reduce costs and turnover in small rural cities. Members of the Small Municipalities Advocacy Coalition (SMAC) reinforced that most Oregon cities are small — 241 cities in the state, 87% with fewer than 20,000 residents — and said lagoon systems are a distinct technology commonly used by those towns.

City officials and operators gave examples: Ginger Allen, city manager of Scio (population about 954), described repeatedly training employees who later leave for larger jurisdictions; Brianna Parokowski, city administrator of Halsey (population about 951), said her city doubled training budgets because of expected test failures; Michelle Eldridge of Harrisburg described the direct responsible charge (DRC) cost small cities pay — $500 to $1,500 per month — when they lack certified staff; and Kostani Konarowski, a seven‑year municipal operator, said he failed the test twice despite strong on‑the‑job performance.

Witnesses cited three recurring concerns: the content of the test question bank (many questions reflect mechanical plant equipment not used in lagoon systems), the experience requirement (cities said 1 year of on‑the‑job experience is more appropriate than an 1,800‑hour rule), and the cost of repeated testing (tests cost roughly $250–$332 each). Several municipal witnesses asked DEQ to permit credit for one year of calendar experience because lagoon operators must work through all four seasons to gain necessary skills.

DEQ staff, including Ryan Hoof (policy and legislative analyst), Tiffany Yelton Bram (wastewater certification manager) and Kimmy Gross (certification program coordinator), told the committee the department has been discussing the issue with stakeholders. They said the current tests are provided by Water Professionals International (WPI), a national testing contractor that many states use, and that WPI is rebuilding exams. DEQ staff said new exams will be released May 1 and that WPI will conduct a job analysis to better align questions with daily operator tasks; they also confirmed the department recently adopted rules that include a one‑year experience requirement for the smallest (Grade 1) wastewater systems.

Advocates including the League of Oregon Cities and the South Suburban Sanitary District urged the committee to pass HB 3655 to allow Oregon to contract for lagoon‑specific tests if national revisions do not address small‑system concerns quickly. Testimony included operational figures: Harrisburg said its lagoon system was designed for a population twice the current size (3,651 cited), Monroe pays Harrisburg $500 per month for DRC coverage, and some cities estimate certification test banks exceed 100,000 questions, making targeted, repeatable study difficult.

No formal committee vote on HB 3655 was recorded on March 18; the hearing closed after extensive testimony. The committee record shows interest from members in tracking outcomes after WPI's May 1 exam release and in pursuing rule or statutory changes if needed.

","Representative Ed Deal and municipal officials told the House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on March 18 that existing wastewater operator exams are weighted toward mechanical plants and create a barrier for lagoon system operators; HB 3655 would direct the Department of Environmental Quality to develop a lagoon‑specific certification program.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126009,"Landscape contractors back rebate for battery leaf blowers, cite high upfront costs and charging challenges",1052,5308000,6360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674049-ed9d28c8d070cc9eb3d8e2cad06a6908&start=5308&end=6360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674049-ed9d28c8d070cc9eb3d8e2cad06a6908/thumbnail_5308000.jpg","/articles/6126009/Oregon/Landscape-contractors-back-rebate-for-battery-leaf-blowers-cite-high-upfront-costs-and-charging-challenges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126009-cff03c1a1735a2644d22a84ec51f83ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487875&Signature=kUXlye0M9HSqIeL3gWweTOIMAktNWN9YUlHfiFPBQy4HI3FSmxYjCiZZq-Pl4LWorKwuvOfufVpWa07iVl2YP9ZoHLFVi3Ieo2YcYR3n1kiHf3OvaH-EccHd~DarGIkVlIJ87QHYdids3lKhOHFKD9RTTytKpCjUCN76pMfiTEYCXg5oBa3p5Z6hvn3TVnYvXsUeCPVo3BF-iW7mH55Li7a7SOrYQ6t3Bh-KwD36vx~uHP311gMNdsev0EvJLsRzTwyFhgF4QGXttkU6xu0F7yy7~T7JifNQTch1nZoZpn6iCHZYXQwFhtQwHMT~g~1VbymHQOMAQhaJmhC4W5Accg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Oregon Landscape Contractors Association told the House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on March 18 that battery‑powered leaf blowers can reduce noise and emissions but require significant upfront investment and operational changes for commercial crews; they urged passage of House Bill 2067 to create a rebate program to accelerate adoption.

Joe Poulter, legislative committee chair for the association, and Bill Cross outlined industry experience: battery technology for small handheld equipment (string trimmers, edgers, shears) has recently reached parity with two‑stroke gas equipment for many applications, and crews can transition with modest increased upfront cost and future fuel and maintenance savings. Battery leaf blowers present a larger challenge because run time and power needs vary widely through the season. Witnesses estimated outfitting a two‑person maintenance crew with commercial battery leaf blowers and sufficient batteries to sustain a full workday would cost roughly $6,000–$12,000 compared with $800–$1,000 for gas equipment; high‑capacity batteries can cost $1,300 each and deliver about 45–60 minutes at full power.

Additional operational hurdles cited included secure storage (higher theft risk if batteries are left on open trailers), weather and temperature limits for charging batteries, elevated facility electrical requirements (additional circuits or panel upgrades), and the need for insulated, heated storage or Connex charging boxes in cold climates to protect battery life. Industry witnesses proposed options such as trailer‑mounted battery banks, solar‑topped trailers for daytime trickle charging, and vehicle‑mounted charging; they noted fleets are testing electric trucks but raised concerns about drawing sustained high DC charging from vehicle batteries while towing trailers.

The bill’s dash‑1 amendment would allow the Oregon Department of Energy to establish eligibility criteria for rebates and includes a five‑year sunset, plus an annual reporting requirement to the legislature. Sponsors said a rebate approach is preferable to a tax credit because rebate funds can jumpstart a market without creating an open‑ended long‑term tax expenditure. Witnesses told the committee that firms in the landscaping and contractor sectors — including both large and small operators — face narrow profit margins and that an initial public rebate would accelerate adoption while the technology matures and prices fall.

No committee vote on HB 2067 was recorded on March 18. Committee members asked about program design, potential funding levels and whether vehicle‑based charging could help. Witnesses said the bill did not include a specific appropriation; rulemaking and program design at the department would set eligibility and prioritization criteria.","Landscape contractors told the House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on March 18 that commercial battery leaf blowers can reduce noise and emissions but require large upfront investments and infrastructure changes; they supported HB 2067 to create a Department of Energy rebate program to help firms transition.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126023,"House panel forwards bill limiting DEQ Title 5 permits for air‑curtain incinerators",124,34000,158000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674049-ed9d28c8d070cc9eb3d8e2cad06a6908&start=34&end=158","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674049-ed9d28c8d070cc9eb3d8e2cad06a6908/thumbnail_34000.jpg","/articles/6126023/Oregon/House-panel-forwards-bill-limiting-DEQ-Title-5-permits-for-aircurtain-incinerators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126023-35fc222119178cbc5d2f66613d94c320/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487875&Signature=HEmrPpMD~7xjFQWKTCJmSlXY7tvt0fpKeZ-YBYtoO3zZRZ6uTj0q69xsRcHnmqjf81gQgujh6P7Sb80vDklc-o2ejM0FZZ8Jrj74AdU-Emd5973-ups8ekZ0PqJ4XdYaHM4g7jIQVszo1e8gFsDMfiTPLlqLYnvoXpoYANml4IxesqYRSTxmSyC7yBbwYRMx0qaA~wBN80aykqLbkM1TzwH5CANc7Me2DWnjtYoBIkkCPZW8-V3iyPnauwTp1SM-1A7LYx0J1VxkiM03wanP4gzgHcJXORbe4nvCTWvA4cfK4zD16ijm76AAGeTMi2n8cihBoFOYBlD9~ydJ0Mdqew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oregon House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee voted to advance House Bill 2332 to the House floor on March 18, directing the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality not to require a Title 5 operating permit for air‑curtain incinerators under certain circumstances.

Committee members moved and seconded the motion in a brief work session. Vice Chair Grama moved HB 2332 to the floor with a “do pass” recommendation; the chair called roll and the motion carried.

The bill summary presented to the committee stated there is no fiscal impact, no revenue impact, no amendment and no subsequent referral. Committee discussion of the motion was brief and no members requested debate before roll call.

Action details in the committee record show a roll‑call sequence of affirmative responses from multiple members and the motion was recorded as carried. Several members were recorded as excused. No further amendments or hearings on HB 2332 were recorded in the committee transcript for this date.

The committee indicated the bill would be carried by Representative Owens to the floor. The transcript does not include text of the statutory exceptions or the specific circumstances under which the DEQ would be prohibited from requiring the permit; those details are in the bill text and not stated verbatim in the committee record.

Looking ahead, HB 2332 will appear on the House floor for further consideration and any additional amendments or debate there will be reflected in the House record.

Votes at a glance: Motion to move HB 2332 to the floor with a do‑pass recommendation — Motion carried (roll call recorded in committee transcript).","The Oregon House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on March 18 voted to move House Bill 2332 to the floor with a \"do pass\" recommendation; the bill would prohibit the Department of Environmental Quality from requiring a Title 5 operating permit for air‑curtain incinerators under certain circumstances.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Agrivoltaics task force proposed to study co‑location of solar and farming in Oregon

Small cities push for lagoon‑specific operator certification as DEQ, test provider revise exams

Landscape contractors back rebate for battery leaf blowers, cite high upfront costs and charging challenges

House panel forwards bill limiting DEQ Title 5 permits for air‑curtain incinerators