ORS 469.760: Legislative findings; state goals related to adoption and use of heat pump technologies.

(1) The Legislative Assembly finds that: (a) Energy consumption in residential and commercial buildings accounted for 34 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions in this state in 2021, according to the Department of Environmental Quality; (b) Space and water heating account for 64 percent of an average residential building’s energy use; (c) Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling benefits that keep people safe during extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent and more intense as a consequence of climate change; (d) Electric heat pumps can provide up to three times more heat energy than the electrical energy the heat pumps consume, which makes heat pumps the most energy efficient space heating option available in the market; (e) Upgrading space and water heating appliances with contemporary heat pump technologies can help people to save money on household energy bills; (f) Existing and forthcoming state and federal incentive programs will assist in energy efficiency improvements in homes and buildings, including adoption of energy efficient heating and cooling appliances; (g) Many residents of this state suffer from disproportionately high energy burdens, and environmental justice communities face greater barriers to purchasing and installing heat pumps and other energy efficient appliances; and (h) Additional support and innovative solutions are necessary to ensure that all households in this state benefit from energy efficient appliances and heating and cooling upgrades. (2) The Legislative Assembly declares as goals for this state: (a) That owners, operators or residents of residential or commercial buildings in this state install and use at least 500,000 new heat pumps by 2030; (b) That the state provide programs and support for accelerating purchases and installations of heat pump technologies to help meet the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals; (c) That the programs and support described in paragraph (b) of this subsection should prioritize environmental justice communities and individuals who reside in houses and structures that do not have a functioning, adequate or affordable heating or cooling system; (d) That the state evaluate the adoption and use of heat pump technologies regularly to determine whether the rate of adoption and use will enable the state to meet greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals; and (e) That the agencies of the executive branch of state government lead by example by acquiring, installing and using heat pump technologies. [2023 c.442 §1]