In the ongoing struggle for a clean-energy future, environmentalists and power providers are often at odds. Recent developments in Oregon demonstrate that they can work toward a common goal.

In January, the two largest utilities announced a consensus with environmental advocates on a dramatic change to the state’s electricity supply. The agreement is a compromise in which the utilities would support legislation in exchange for the environmental groups dropping ballot measures for more stringent requirements.

Last autumn, environmental group Renew Oregon submitted proposals for two ballot measures to the Oregon Secretary of State’s office. The first would require power providers to stop producing coal-fired electricity by 2030. Half of new energy production would need to come from renewable sources by 2040. The second measure would add controls on executive pay, garnishing wages from those who don’t comply.

The prospect of those two measures appearing on the ballot brought PacifiCorp and Portland General Electric to the negotiating table with Renew Oregon. In January, the parties announced an agreement on an alternative approach. In exchange for Renew Oregon dropping the ballot measures, the utilities agreed to support a slightly less rigorous, but equally ambitious legislative package.

House Bill 4030 would require utilities to eliminate coal imports by 2035 and meet 50 percent of consumer demand with renewable energy by 2040. If implemented, this would double the current standard of 25 percent by 2025. The new requirement would step up incrementally between 2027 and 2040.