Grounded: a Podcast by the Oregon Department of Energy
State of Oregon
62 episodes
3 weeks ago
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.
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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.
Grounded: a Podcast by the Oregon Department of Energy
50 minutes 43 seconds
3 months ago
Episode 49: Meet the Draft Oregon Energy Strategy
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
Grounded: a Podcast by the Oregon Department of Energy
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.
