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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Getting Grounded: Organic matter as fuel (biomass)
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 • Duration 09:44
Get grounded in energy fundamentals with our mini-episode series: Getting Grounded. We're breaking down Oregon's energy sources. Up next: Biomass.
Guest: Michael Freels, ODOE senior policy analyst
Resources:
• Oregon State University’s Oregon Wood Innovation Center: https://owic.oregonstate.edu/
• Origin of Charcoal Briquettes: Collection: https://scua.uoregon.edu/repositories/2/resources/9251
• Bioenergy in Oregon: State of Oregon: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/pages/bioenergy.aspx
• Resource Review: Biomass (2020 Biennial Energy Report): https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Documents/2020-BER-Technology-Resource-Reviews.pdf#page=31
• Oregon Department of Forestry: Oregon Department of Forestry: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/forestbenefits/pages/biomass.aspx
Episode 52: Hoping for blue skies, planning for black skies
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 • Duration 34:24
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
Getting Grounded: New Heights of Wind
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 • Duration 09:46
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
Episode 51: Directors’ Stories of ODOE at 50
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 • Duration 44:10
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.
Getting Grounded: PNW's unique hydropower
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 • Duration 09:16
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
Episode 50: Oregon’s Nuclear Future
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 • Duration 41:45
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
Episode 49: Meet the Draft Oregon Energy Strategy
Thursday, August 14, 2025 • Duration 50:43
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
Episode 48: Existing commercial buildings = 20% of Oregon's energy use
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 • Duration 27:09
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
Getting Grounded: Oregon’s History with Nuclear Power
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 • Duration 06:48
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
Getting Grounded: Petroleum's long history
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 • Duration 09:41
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
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