Episode 51: Directors’ Stories of ODOE at 50

2025 marks 50 years of Oregon Department of Energy public service. As we continue leading Oregon to a safe, equitable, clean, and sustainable future for the next 50 years (and beyond!), we’re taking time to look back and reflect on what got us here.

In this episode of grounded, we’re joined by five former directors and current Director Benner, who each share memories of their time at ODOE as we highlight key moments from ODOE’s 50 years.

Guests: Former ODOE directors Lon Topaz, David Yaden, John Savage, Michael Grainey, and Mike Kaplan, and current Director Janine Benner.

Additional Resource: ODOE at 50 blog series: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog?tag=ODOE+at+50 ODOE at 50 interactive timeline: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/timeline About Hanford: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/safety-resiliency/Pages/About-Hanford.aspx Oregon Climate Action Commission: https://climate.oregon.gov/ Biennial Energy Report: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/ber ODOE financial and incentive programs: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Incentives/Pages/default.aspx Oregon Energy Strategy: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Pages/Energy-Strategy.aspx Episode with Energy Trust of Oregon’s founding executive director: https://on.soundcloud.com/FBSyrSL8rikUE5uJl8

Grounded music by PaulYudin Transition music by Juilius H., Osynthw, Syouki Takahashi, Deion Scott, and Levgen Poltavskyj from Pixabay.