Grounded: a Podcast by the Oregon Department of Energy

State of Oregon
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Grounded is a podcast by the Oregon Department of Energy. Here on Grounded, we're talking energy – from renewable energy and the history of nuclear power… to utilities, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and Oregon families going green and making a difference.

  1. Episode 52: Hoping for blue skies, planning for black skies

    DEC 3

    Episode 52: Hoping for blue skies, planning for black skies

    In counties around the state and at ODOE, we’re planning for events we hope don’t happen: emergencies disrupting energy and fuel supplies. Climate change, extreme weather, and cyber risks and straining our energy systems and furthering the need for energy resiliency. In this episode, we dive into energy resiliency (one of the Oregon Energy Strategy’s five pathways) as it relates to ODOE’s role in fuel emergency response and energy security planning, and energy resiliency at the county level in the Columbia Gorge. Guests: ODOE’s Energy Security Manager Traci Naile and Mid-Columbia Economic Development District’s Energy and Project Manager Lindsay McClure Resources • Fuel Action Plan: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/safety-resiliency/Pages/Petroleum.aspx • Energy Security Plan: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/safety-resiliency/Pages/Energy-Security-Plan.aspx • Western States Petroleum Association: https://www.wspa.org/ • Oregon Fuels Association: https://www.wpma.com/oregon • Getting Grounded: Petroleum's long history: https://on.soundcloud.com/wo4C7vw8D9QPzWkF4C • ODOE's County Energy Resilience Grant Program: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/safety-resiliency/Pages/County-Resilience.aspx • ODOE's Community Renewable Energy Grant Program: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Incentives/Pages/CREP.aspx • Mid-Columbia Economic Development District: https://mcedd.org/ • Hood River County Energy Council: https://hoodrivercountyenergyplan.org/energy-plan/ Grounded music by PaulYudin Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

    34 min
  2. Getting Grounded: New Heights of Wind

    NOV 19

    Getting Grounded: New Heights of Wind

    Get grounded in energy fundamentals with our new mini-episode series: Getting Grounded. We're breaking down Oregon's energy sources. Up next: Wind. Guest: Todd Cornett, ODOE assistant director for siting Resources: • Explore wind facilities in Oregon with the Oregon Renewable Energy Siting Assessment Tool: https://oregon-explorer.apps.geocortex.com/ • Siting information hub: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/facilities-safety/facilities/Pages/default.aspx • Energy Facility Siting Council: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/facilities-safety/facilities/Pages/About-the-Council.aspx • Oregon 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

    10 min
  3. Episode 51: Directors’ Stories of ODOE at 50

    OCT 22

    Episode 51: Directors’ Stories of ODOE at 50

    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.

    44 min
  4. Getting Grounded: PNW's unique hydropower

    SEP 17

    Getting Grounded: PNW's unique hydropower

    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

    9 min
  5. Episode 50: Oregon’s Nuclear Future

    AUG 27

    Episode 50: Oregon’s Nuclear Future

    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

    42 min

  6. AUG 14

    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

    51 min
  7. Episode 48: Existing commercial buildings = 20% of Oregon's energy use

    JUL 16

    Episode 48: Existing commercial buildings = 20% of Oregon's energy use

    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

    27 min
  8. Getting Grounded: Oregon’s History with Nuclear Power

    JUN 25

    Getting Grounded: Oregon’s History with Nuclear Power

    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

    7 min
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Grounded is a podcast by the Oregon Department of Energy. Here on Grounded, we're talking energy – from renewable energy and the history of nuclear power… to utilities, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and Oregon families going green and making a difference.

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