The Oregon Office of Energy works to ensure that the state's energy portfolio is made up of a mix of efficiency, renewables, and conventional energy sources that minimize both economic and environmental costs. The office offers tax credits and loans for efficiency and renewables. Tax credits are available for solid waste recycling projects. The office is developing rules to implement SB 1149, a law enacted last year which opens Oregon's retail electricity markets to limited competition and provides for funding of energy efficiency, renewables, and weatherization of low-income housing. Additional details on this topic are available in the full meeting report.
Insurance companies have a strong interest in their customers' risk management practices.
Commercial liability policies today are sold with an absolute pollution exclusion, although buyers typically may not be aware of the exclusion. Special policies can be purchased to cover pollution-related liabilities. Companies that sell these policies, AIG among them, employ technical specialists to assess risks and help customers reduce potential liabilities. Site cleanup cost cap insurance can be purchased. There are a number of advantages to using insurance as a driver to get companies interested in P2.