Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon HB4076: Relating to energy; and prescribing an effective date.
Status: Chaptered, April 6, 2026
Digest: Specifies a reason why EFSC may take an exception to goal compliance. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.7). Requires the Energy Facility Siting Council to find that reasons justify why the state policy in applicable statewide planning goals should not apply to a proposed energy facility if the council finds that the proposed energy facility will deliver electricity to the electric grid using an existing energy facility's surplus interconnection and does not require associated transmission lines more than two miles from the existing energy facility. Defines "surplus interconnection." Allows a local government to justify a reason for an exception to a statewide land use planning goal relating to agricultural lands for the development of a renewable energy facility if an exception is required under rules of the Land Conservation and Development Commission, the county adopts certain findings and the proposed facility will deliver electricity to the electric grid using an existing energy facility's unused interconnection capacity and does not require associated transmission lines more than two miles from the existing energy facility. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
What the bill says
A resolution may not result in a waiver of any applicable state statute. (4) An applicant for a site certificate shall elect whether to demonstrate compliance with the statewide planning goals under subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this section. The applicant shall make the election on or before the date specified by the council by rule. (5) Upon request by the State Department of Energy, the special advisory group established under ORS 469.480 shall recommend to the council, within the time stated in the request, the applicable substantive criteria under subsection (1)(b)(A) of this section. If th.
From the enrolled text, March 4, 2026:
A resolution may not result in a waiver of any applicable state statute. (4) An applicant for a site certificate shall elect whether to demonstrate compliance with the statewide planning goals under subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this section. The applicant shall make the election on or before the date specified by the council by rule. (5) Upon request by the State Department of Energy, the special advisory group established under ORS 469.480 shall recommend to the council, within the time stated in the request, the applicable substantive criteria under subsection (1)(b)(A) of this section. If the special advisory group does not recommend applicable substantive criteria within the time established in the department's request, the council may either determine and apply the applicable substantive criteria under subsection (1)(b) of this section or determine compliance with the statewide planning goals under subsection (1)(b)(B) or (C) of this section. If the special advisory group recommends applicable substantive criteria for an energy facility described in ORS 469.300 or a related or supporting facility that does not pass through more than one local government jurisdiction or more than three zones in any one jurisdiction, the council shall apply the criteria recommended by the special advisory group. If the special advisory group recommends applicable substantive criteria for an energy facility as defined in ORS 469.300 …