Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon HB4031: Relating to the siting of renewable energy facilities; and prescribing an effective date.
Status: Chaptered, March 17, 2026
Digest: Creates an exception to needing a site certificate from EFSC. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.3). Exempts an energy facility from needing a site certificate from the Energy Facility Siting Council if the energy facility produces power from a renewable energy source, qualifies for certain federal renewable energy tax credits and is placed in service on or before December 31, 2030, or a date allowed by exception and a local land use application for the facility is submitted [ construction begins ] on or before December 31, 2028. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, February 25, 2026:
83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2026 Regular Session House Bill 4031 Introduced and printed pursuant to House Rule 12.00. Presession filed (at the request of House Interim Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment for Representative John Lively) CHAPTER ................................................. Relating to the siting of renewable energy facilities; amending ORS 469.320; and prescribing an effective date. SECTION 1. ORS 469.320 is amended to read: 469.320. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (5) of this section, no facility shall be constructed or expanded unless a site certificate has been issued for the site thereof in the manner provided in ORS 469.300 to 469.563, 469.590 to 469.619, 469.930 and 469.992. No facility shall be constructed or operated except in conformity with the requirements of ORS 469.300 to 469.563, 469.590 to 469.619, 469.930 and 469.992. (2) A site certificate is not required for: (a) An energy facility for which no site certificate has been issued that, on August 2, 1993, had operable electric generating equipment for a modification that uses the same fuel type and increases electric generating capacity, and (B) The ability of the energy facility to use fuel for electricity production under peak steady state operating conditions is not more than 200 million Btu per hour greater than it was on August 2, 1993, or the energy facility expansion is called for …