2025 marks 50 years of Oregon Department of Energy public service. As we continue leading Oregon to a safe, equitable, clean, and sustainable future for the next 50 years (and beyond!), we’re taking time to look back and reflect on what got us here. In this episode of grounded, we’re joined by five former directors and current Director Benner, who each share memories of their time at ODOE as we highlight key moments from ODOE’s 50 years. Guests: Former ODOE directors Lon Topaz, David Yaden, John Savage, Michael Grainey, and Mike Kaplan, and current Director Janine Benner. Additional Resource: ODOE at 50 blog series: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog?tag=ODOE+at+50 ODOE at 50 interactive timeline: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/timeline About Hanford: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/safety-resiliency/Pages/About-Hanford.aspx Oregon Climate Action Commission: https://climate.oregon.gov/ Biennial Energy Report: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/ber ODOE financial and incentive programs: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Incentives/Pages/default.aspx Oregon Energy Strategy: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Pages/Energy-Strategy.aspx Episode with Energy Trust of Oregon’s founding executive director: https://on.soundcloud.com/FBSyrSL8rikUE5uJl8 Grounded music by PaulYudin Transition music by Juilius H., Osynthw, Syouki Takahashi, Deion Scott, and Levgen Poltavskyj from Pixabay.

Get grounded in energy fundamentals with our new mini-episode series: Getting Grounded. We're breaking down Oregon's energy sources. Up next: Hydropower. Guest: Joni Sliger, ODOE senior policy analyst Resources: • ODOE’s website on hydropower: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/Hydropower.aspx • Where hydroelectricity is generated in the U.S.: https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/hydropower/where-hydropower-is-generated.php • OPB’s Salmon Wars: https://www.opb.org/salmonwars/ • Nine federally recognized Tribes of Oregon: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Pages/Tribal-Reports.aspx • Northwest Power and Conservation Council and the Columbia River Basin: https://www.nwcouncil.org/news/2025/08/29/ninth-plan-hydro-ops-scope-columbia-river-basin/ • Bonneville Power Administration hydropower: https://www.bpa.gov/energy-and-services/power/hydropower-impact • Faraday Resiliency & Repowering Project: https://portlandgeneral.com/news/modernizing-our-hydropower-plants-pges-oldest-assets-in-the-fight • Electricity Resource Mix: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/Electricity-Mix-in-Oregon.aspx Questions or topic suggestions? Write us at askenergy@oregon.gov Grounded music by PaulYudin and Oregon artist Jana Cushman

Could Nuclear Power be a solution to increasing electricity needs in the state and the nation? In this episode, we learn about the nuclear topics considered during the 2025 legislative session and Oregon’s nuclear future. We also hear from a company developing small modular reactors about their technology and potential roles for nuclear power. Guests: Max Woods, ODOE Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety and Energy Security, and Dr. Jose Reyes, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of NuScale Power. Additional Resources Getting Grounded: Oregon’s History with Nuclear Power: https://soundcloud.com/oregonenergy/getting-grounded-oregons-history-with-nuclear-power Trojan Nuclear Site: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/safety-resiliency/Pages/Trojan-Site.aspx About Hanford: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/safety-resiliency/Pages/About-Hanford.aspx ODOE’s Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Program: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/safety-resiliency/Pages/Emergency-Preparedness.aspx Episode 14: NuScale’s New Scale for Nuclear (2018): https://soundcloud.com/oregonenergy/episode-14-nuscales-new-scale-for-nuclear?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing&si=c5cf695ab05142b4958f7d80be6bfd87

ODOE released a draft of the Oregon Energy Strategy on Aug. 14, 2025, and opened a public comment period through Sept. 22, 2025. So, what is the Energy Strategy and why should you take the time to comment? We dive into an overview of the report and the five pathways outlined that represent the direction Oregon needs to go to meet the state's energy goals. As you will hear from our guests, the Energy Strategy is not a plan, but rather a strategy that can be used by policy makers, agencies, and Oregonians alike to help make decisions on Oregon's long-term energy future. Use the timestamps below to skip to the part of the discussion that most interests you. 0:1:40 - Purpose and Approach 0:10:06 - What are policy recommendations? 0:14:37 - Why should I comment? 0:23:40 - Pathway 1 (Energy Efficiency) 0:27:46 - Pathway 2 (Electrification) 0:35:08 - Pathway 3 (Clean Electricity) 0:37:53 - Pathway 4 (Low-carbon Fuels) 0:40:57 - Pathway 5 (Resilience) 0:43:33 - Conclusion Guests: Jessica Reichers, ODOE Technology and Policy Manager, and Edith Bayer, ODOE Energy Policy Team Lead. Grounded music by PaulYudin Additional Resources • View the Draft Oregon Energy Strategy: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Documents/DRAFT-Oregon-Energy-Strategy.pdf • View a summary of the draft strategy: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Documents/DRAFT-Summary-Oregon-Energy-Strategy.pdf • Submit a comment through Sept. 22, 2025: https://odoe.powerappsportals.us/en-US/energy-strategy/ • Energy Wallet Analysis: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Documents/OES-EJEquity-Approach-11-6-2024.pdf

Oregon's is now the fourth state to focus on energy efficiency in existing buildings with ODOE's new Building Performance Standard Program. Starting in 2028, the program implements energy efficiency compliance deadlines for Oregon's existing commercial buildings. In this episode, learn about the program and its benefits, and how Oregon is addressing energy efficiency in state-owned buildings. Guests: Madeline O'Dwyer and Amanda Welch, both ODOE policy analysts. Questions or topic suggestions? Write us at askenergy@oregon.gov Grounded music by PaulYudin Additional Resources • Tier 1 and Tier 2 Buildings graphic: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/save-energy/Documents/BPS-Visual.pdf • Building Performance Standard website and resources: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/save-energy/Pages/BPS.aspx • Sign up for email updates on the Building Performance Standard: http://web.energy.oregon.gov/cn/a6n53/subscribe • State Energy Efficient Design Process (SEED) website: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/SEED-Program-Guidelines.as

Get grounded in energy fundamentals with our new mini-episode series: Getting Grounded. We're breaking down Oregon's energy sources. Up next: Nuclear energy. Guest: Joni Sliger, ODOE senior policy analyst Resources: • Trojan Nuclear Site: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/facilities-safety/facilities/Pages/TRO.aspx • Trojan Nuclear Site Spent Fuel Storage: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/safety-resiliency/Pages/Trojan-Site.aspx • Columbia Generating Station Information: https://www.energy-northwest.com/energyprojects/Columbia/Pages/default.aspx • ODOE's Nuclear Safety and Emergency Preparedness resources: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/facilities-safety/safety/pages/default.aspx Questions or topic suggestions? Write us at askenergy@oregon.gov Grounded music by PaulYudin and Oregon artist Jana Cushman

Get grounded in energy fundamentals with our new mini-episodes series: Getting Grounded. We're breaking down Oregon's energy sources. Up next: petroleum fuels. Guest: Michael Freels, ODOE senior policy analyst Resources: • Oregon Energy Security Plan: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/safety-resiliency/Pages/Energy-Security-Plan.aspx • Oregon Fuel Action Plan: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/safety-resiliency/Pages/Petroleum.aspx Questions or topic suggestions? Write us at askenergy@oregon.gov Grounded music by PaulYudin and Oregon artist Jana Cushman

Get grounded in energy fundamentals with our new mini-episodes series. We're moving through Oregon's energy sources one at a time to learn more about how they serve Oregon and all of us. Up first: solar. Guest: Rob Del Mar, ODOE senior policy analyst Additional resources • ODOE's Solar for All program: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Incentives/Pages/Solar-for-All.aspx • Energy Hub for Oregon incentives: https://incentives.oregon.gov/ • Smart shopping tips for solar: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2024/12/16/solar-shop-smart • Solar dashboard: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/Oregon-Solar-Dashboard.aspx • Meeting the energy facilities siting standards: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2024/4/16/energy-facilities-spotlight-meeting-the-standards?rq=siting Questions or topic suggestions? Write us at askenergy@oregon.gov Grounded music by PaulYudin and Oregon artist, Jana Cushman

Energy efficiency is found in government policies, it’s also found in our homes, technology and actions. Learn more about energy efficiency, some of the benefits, and things you can do to improve efficiency and decrease energy bills. In March, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy ranked Oregon at No. 9 in its nationwide State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, which measures policy and program standards that support energy efficiency. We will hear from ACEEE about what Oregon is doing well and where there’s room to improve. Guests: Andy Cameron, ODOE Energy Efficiency and Conservation Group Manager, and Mark Kresowik, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Senior Policy Director Questions or topic suggestions? Write us at askenergy@oregon.gov Additional Resources: • ACEEE State Efficiency Scorecard: https://www.aceee.org/state-policy/scorecard • Home energy scoring: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/save-energy/Pages/Home-Energy-Score-Consumers.aspx • Co-Benefits of Efficiency (2022 Biennial Energy Report): https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Documents/2022-BER-Policy-Briefs.pdf#page=151 • Energy Hub for Incentive Programs and Projects in Oregon: https://incentives.oregon.gov/ Grounded music by PaulYudin Updated to clarify Energy Trust of Oregon's efficiency programs serve the investor-owned utilities while the consumer-owned utilities run their own programs.

Get grounded in energy fundamentals with our new mini-episode series: Getting Grounded. The electricity used in Oregon homes and businesses comes from many energy resources. Solar, hydro, natural gas, wind, nuclear, coal, and other resources make up the “mix” and all play a role in providing Oregon electricity. View the Resource mix dashboard: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/pages/electricity-mix-in-oregon.aspx Guest: Stephanie Kruse, ODOE facilities engineer Questions or topic suggestions? Write us at askenergy@oregon.gov Grounded music by PaulYudin and Oregon artist, Jana Cushman

Earlier this month, ODOE was excited to release the 2024 Biennial Energy Report that tells Oregon’s energy story. The report shows how the state’s energy system has evolved over time to include new technologies, address changes in the availability of different generation resources, and to meet state energy goals. Learn more: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2024/11/22/a-new-chapter-in-oregons-energy-story Grounded theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman

Class is back in session, and nearly 550,000 students in Oregon make the trip to and from school every school day. On this episode of Grounded, we tag along and venture into the magic world of clean-running and electric school buses. Learn more: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2024/10/10/grounded-podcast-episode-45-magic-school-buses Theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman

Grounded host Bryan Hockaday meets OSU Assistant Professor Chad Higgins and takes listeners on a tour of a solar research farm outside of Wilsonville. On the farm, they’re fine tuning the practice of agrivoltaics and experimenting with what crops respond best to integrated solar electricity production. Learn more: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2024/9/4/grounded-podcast-episode-44-harvesting-solar-the-science-of-agrivoltaics Theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman

On Episode 43 of Grounded, host Bryan Hockaday catches up with Sarah Moehrke, ODOE’s Community Navigator. In her role, Sarah is often on the road and meeting with Oregonians all across the state. In just over this past year, Sarah has logged nearly 15,000 miles as she connects cities and counties with resources to help with community-scale sustainable improvement projects. Learn more: 2024/7/31/grounded-podcast-episode-43-road-trip-across-oregon Grounded theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman.

On Episode 43 of Grounded, host Bryan Hockaday catches up with Sarah Moehrke, ODOE’s Community Navigator. In her role, Sarah is often on the road and meeting with Oregonians all across the state. Enjoy a bonus episode, where Sarah takes listeners on a vividly narrated tour, starting on the stunning shores of the Oregon coast, going through the mid-Willamette Valley, and heading across to the spectacular vistas in eastern Oregon. Learn more: 2024/7/31/grounded-podcast-episode-43-road-trip-across-oregon Grounded theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman.

Summers in the Pacific Northwest are spectacular, but it’s starting to feel like Oregon’s summers keep getting hotter. On this episode of Grounded, host Bryan Hockaday learns about ODOE’s Heat Pump Incentive Programs and talks with Oregon’s Climatologist Larry O’Neill. Grounded theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman.

We also got to speak with Oregon’s official State Climatologist, Larry O’Neill. We had such a great conversation and he shared really interesting insights into Oregon’s climate, how it’s changing, and even how we measure these changes and how that data can be used to inform policies. So, we thought we’d share this extended interview with Larry O'Neill in this special bonus episode. Hope you enjoy! blogs.oregonstate.edu/orcs/oregon-cl…vice/our-team/ Grounded theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman.

On this episode of Grounded, join host Bryan as he heads out to the Columbia River Gorge to attend the annual Cherry Pre-Harvest Tour and see an all-electric, autonomous tractor. The event attracts regional cherry and fruit growers, and this year’s demonstration was organized by partners including Oregon State University and Wy’East Resource, Conservation and Development; Forth Mobility; Sustainable Northwest; and Bonneville Environmental Foundation. Grounded theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman.

Grounded is back in action! We’re excited to welcome Bryan Hockaday as host, who recently joined the Oregon Department of Energy’s communications team. In this first episode of the Grounded reboot, join Bryan as he begins his expedition across the state to learn all about energy in Oregon. Learn More: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2024/4/29/grounded-podcast-welcome-bryan-hockaday

On this episode of Grounded, we explore ODOE's second Biennial Zero Emission Report with EV expert, Jessica Reichers. We take the opportunity to learn about report topics, policy and consumer resources, and some interesting differences between the 2023 and 2021 EV landscape. Find links and resources mentioned in the interview here: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2023/11/28/grounded-podcast-2023-biennial-zero-emission-vehicle-report https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/IIJA.aspx Learn more about our work at www.oregon.gov/energy. Music: “If” by Broke for Free. freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…Free/Layers/If