Summary: On March 12, 2009, I interviewed Eric Hiaasen, Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) Senior Energy Analyst. He provided important information about national RPSs and how Oregon’s RPS effects EWEB.
Topic: Renewable Electricity Policy
Category: Citizen (Stakeholder)
What is it? An interview with an EWEB Senior Energy Analyst
Title: Interview with Eric Hiaasen
Publication Information: N/A
Location: N/A
Date of Interview: March 12, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Support:
1.) A Generational Challenge to Repower America, a July 17, 2008 speech by Al Gore
2.) An Oregon Department of Energy report
3.) Western Climate Initiative
4.) Eugene Electricity & Water Board (EWEB)
These sources cited by Eric Hiaasen work together to back up the facts and arguments he presented during the interview. Since this source was only a short interview, naturally fewer sources were cited.
Audience and Agenda: Eric Hiaasen is currently a Senior Energy Analyst at EWEB. Previously he had worked in Long-Term Planning, and then switched over to Midterm Trader for about ten years before recently switching over to his current job title. Mr. Hiaasen is responsible for putting together EWEB’s long-term integrated resource plan, and managing the company’s renewable energy credits (RECS), among other duties.
Usefulness: This interview was closely tied to a national RPS topic. Indeed, most of the interview centered around national RPSs, including state vs. national RPSs, and more specifically - Oregon’s RPS. The interview was targeted towards me, the interviewer. In the interview, Mr. Hiaasen said that EWEB is actually exceeding their goals and has an excess of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). He argued that a national RPS would be preferable to individual state RPSs, specifically concerning a cap & trade program. According to Mr. Hiaasen, EWEB is pursing mostly renewable electricity anyways, so a national RPS would change little of EWEB’s structure. He further stated that a national RPS of 25% by 2025 is certainly achievable. During the interview, Eric Hiaasen was very thorough, leaving out little pertinent information.
Works Cited:
http://edwin360.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/source-notes-al-gore-urges-fast-energy-makeover/
[...] 2025 exist. However, most scientists and experts agree (including the three experts I interviewed; Eric Hiaasen, Greg Bothun, and Frank Vignola) that a national RPS of 25% by 2025 is realistic and achievable. [...]