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OPPD's Pathways to Decarbonization initiative will help OPPD reach its goal of net-zero carbon production by 2050. Watch the video below which summarizes the content covered in OPPD's six Pathways to Decarbonization-Energy Portfolio workshops held in 2021 to help inform the Pathways to Decarbonization study. Recordings of the workshops are available to view here.

Pathways to Decarbonization

OPPD is working across four areas of focus to develop a roadmap for making progress towards our net-zero carbon production goal. Learn more about our work related to Energy Portfolio, Internal Operations, Community, and Customer, by clicking on the images below:

Energy Portfolio

Internal Operations

Community

Customer

What is decarbonization? Simply, it's the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, commonly referred to as our carbon footprint. Although carbon dioxide (CO₂) occurs naturally in the Earth's atmosphere, human activities over the last century have significantly increased levels of greenhouse gases. These include burning fossil fuels for energy and transportation, and removing trees (deforestation) to enable other land uses, such as clearing rainforests for agricultural purposes.

Why is there a need for a decarbonization initiative? Plants, soil, and the oceans absorb CO₂ through natural processes, acting as major storage systems. When human activities emit more CO₂ than these natural systems can store, the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere can contribute to climate change. Climate change causes a continuing adjustment in precipitation, air quality, rising temperatures and extreme weather events.

How is OPPD taking action? OPPD is striving for net-zero carbon production by 2050. Net-zero means that any emissions are balanced by absorbing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere. Working side-by-side with our customers and communities, we are striving to reduce our environmental impact while maintaining reliability, resiliency and affordability. That’s why we’ve initiated our Pathways to Decarbonization study – so we can identify and prioritize strategies and actions to make a difference across our service territory.

What are the objectives of the study? Identify pathways for future decision making regarding carbon reduction; Develop strategy (roadmap) and increase demand for decarbonization customer products; Ensure decarbonization values become sustainable business practices; and position OPPD as a community and industry leader in decarbonization efforts.

What's next? The Pathways to Decarbonization work streams have provided information and laid the foundation for OPPD in developing strategies and making decisions on our journey to net zero carbon emissions. This strategic initiative identified findings to be operationalized into the business as core work, as well as results to be included in the scope of Advanced Feasibility Studies. These technical studies are the next steps to enable progress toward the net zero goal

Engagement Session

For information on the Pathways to Decarbonization Engagement Session, held Sept. 2, 2021, which provided an update on the Customer and Community work streams, please click here. To watch recording of the Pathways to Decarbonization Energy Portfolio Workshops, please click here.