Climate Action Executive Order Announcement

November 19, 2025

Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for being here today.

Oregon is facing a timely challenge: delivering affordable, reliable energy to our residents while meeting our climate commitments. Rising energy costs are hitting Oregonians' pocketbooks hard, and we must act with urgency and fiscal responsibility to protect ratepayers while building a more resilient energy future.

We've set ambitious climate goals through House Bill 2021 and other legislative actions. Now, we must ensure these goals are achieved in the most cost-effective way possible: protecting Oregonians from unnecessary rate increases while delivering the clean, reliable power they deserve.

That's why I issued Executive Order 25-29, which establishes clear accountability and coordination across our state government to meet these needs. This order directs all executive branch agencies to align their decisions, activities, and investments with the five least-cost pathways identified in the Oregon Energy Strategy. This isn't just a planning document - it's our roadmap for delivering results efficiently and affordably.

Good governance means clear lines of responsibility. My Natural Resources Team will lead these efforts, but each agency director is accountable for integrating these strategies into their programs and day-to-day operations. This coordination will eliminate duplication, leverage resources effectively, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

This Executive Order creates a framework for reducing carbon pollution through the most cost-effective approaches: electrification where it makes economic sense, efficiency improvements that lower operating costs, and strategic clean energy infrastructure investments. By following the least-cost pathways, we'll fight climate change while simultaneously improving grid reliability and lowering long-term energy costs for Oregon families and businesses.

We can accelerate affordable clean energy deployment by streamlining permitting and project approvals, cutting red tape that drives up costs and delays. Strategic planning for transmission corridors will ensure we build the right infrastructure in the right places, avoiding costly mistakes and delivering clean energy efficiently.

Effective public-private partnerships will leverage private sector innovation and capital, reducing the burden on ratepayers while creating good-paying jobs. Smart governance means maximizing these partnerships to stretch every dollar further.

I want to thank all state agencies committed to this coordinated approach, and our partners who understand that affordability and accountability must be central to Oregon's energy future. Through disciplined execution and transparent governance, we will protect Oregonians from rising energy costs while building the resilient, clean energy system our state needs.

Thank you.