City Of Tualatin Recognized For Energy Leadership (Photo) - 02/26/26
City receives SolSmart Bronze Designation from the Energy Ready Program
Tualatin, OR – In January the City of Tualatin received a SolSmart bronze designation from the Energy Ready Program, a national initiative supporting local governments that take proactive steps to support new energy technologies, including solar, electric vehicles, and energy storage.
With energy prices surging across the country and demand for new energy generation growing due to data centers and AI, local governments are taking action to improve local planning and permitting for energy projects and ensure residents have a broader range of options.
The Energy Ready program, led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) provided free technical assistance to Tualatin, helping to review local plans and ordinances, train staff, and identify strategies to educate and engage residents and businesses.
“Participating in the SolSmart program is an action in Tualatin’s Community Climate Action Plan, supporting our citywide goal of net zero emissions by 2050. We want to make sure that residents and businesses that want to install solar on their property can do so efficiently, and that city code and processes aren’t creating any additional barriers to these projects. SolSmart bronze designation recognizes the steps we have already taken towards this goal, and the Energy Ready Program provided us recommendations on additional actions we can take based on best practices.” — Amanda Watson, City of Tualatin Climate Action Program Manager
Some of the solar-friendly practices and policies the City has implemented that helped them achieve SolSmart bronze designation include: having adopted goals relating to supporting development and use of solar energy; reducing barriers in permitting processes by having an online permitting system, permitting checklists, and a standard application form for solar permits; and having land use regulations that allow solar access.
According to Deb Perry, ICMA’s Clean Energy Program Director, hundreds of communities have turned to the Energy Ready Program to help them take action to stabilize energy costs and give residents more access to clean energy options: “In recent years solar energy has proven to be one of the most cost-effective ways to build new power generation – it can be built quickly compared to sources like natural gas and nuclear, and it generates no emissions. Local governments are making solar more affordable for residents by streamlining permitting and many local governments have been able to stabilize their own electricity costs by installing solar panels on public buildings, schools and properties.” Unfortunately, funding cuts from the US Department of Energy have impacted the Energy Ready Program and its future is uncertain. According to ICMA there are currently over 200 requests for technical assistance from local governments, but the program cannot enroll new communities until additional funding is secured.
To learn more about Tualatin’s Community Climate Action Plan visit tualatincap.com