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More environmental wins before the last gavel
On the last full day of the 2009 Oregon Legislative session, more important environmental protections were sent to the Governor. They included:
- A historic water management package
- Tougher pollution limits on coal plants
- A bill that will protect Oregon taxpayers and the environment from the costly damage of invasive species
Low-carbon fuel standard heads to Governor
A concurrence vote has passed House Bill 2186, which is now on its way to the governor to be signed into law.
As amended in the Senate, the bill allows the state to develop a low-carbon fuel standard, which would reduce the carbon dioxide pollution from fuel by 10% by 2020. Once signed by the Governor, Oregon will join California and eleven Northeast states in moving toward low carbon fuels.
Metolius Bill Passes!
House Bill 3298 will protect the Metolius River Basin, an Oregon treasure, for future generations.
Check out the story in the Oregonian.
It declares the area an “Area of Critical State Concern” and allows a limited amount of development in the basin.
The Metolius River is a federally designated wild and scenic river, emerging from a spring and providing America’s best habitat for the endangered bull trout.
Victory!
TriMet/Lane Transit Funding Bill on its way to the Governor
All Oregonians deserve affordable transportation to commute to work, grocery shop, visit the doctor, and recreate. Unfortunately, one million Oregonians are too poor, young, old, or infirm to drive. Public transit is essential to providing these Oregonians transportation freedom, while giving us all transportation choices.
Senate Bill 34 puts two of the state's transit districts, TriMet (Portland region) and the Lane Transit District, on firm financial ground by lifting the state limit on local authority over the payroll tax from 0.7% to 0.8%. This moderate increase of financial stability will also help the transit districts receive significant federal matching grants.
Senate Bill 34 passed the House Floor (32-28) last week, making it the second OCN priority bill that is on the way to the Governor.
Friday, May 8: Oregon House passes
clean energy bill!
House Bill 2186 tackles the low-hanging fruit of the state’s global warming pollution.
SALEM, OR – The Oregon House of Representatives today passed the first climate change bill of the session with a 32-28 vote. House Bill 2186, introduced as part of the governor’s healthy climate package, authorizes the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission to adopt common-sense, cost-effective strategies that will not only reduce the state’s global warming emissions but also will spur local innovation and business opportunities, and save Oregonians money.
Read more about HB 2186.
Here are the legislators who voted AGAINST HB 2186.
Barker, Bentz, Berger, Beyer, Boone, Bruun, Cameron, Esquivel, Freeman, Garrard, Gilliam, Gilman, Hanna, Huffman, Jenson, Kennemer, Krieger, Maurer, Olson, Richardson, Schaufler, Smith G., Sprenger, Thatcher, Thompson, Weidner, Whisnant, Wingard
If your legislator is NOT on this list, it means they voted yes, and should be thanked.
Priorities for a Healthy Oregon: The 2009 Legislative Session
The Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) is working tirelessly on six environmental priorities for the 2009 Legislative Session, called “Priorities for a Healthy Oregon.”
The priorities of the fifty-group coalition are to Implement Global Warming Solutions, Promote Water Conservation, Preserve Oregon’s Coastal Legacy, Increase Transportation Options, Ensure New Energy Supplies are Responsible, and Stop the Spread of Invasive Species.
Learn more about the 2009 Priorities.
2008 Environmental Issues Poll Released
OLCV Education Fund recently released results from its June environmental issues poll. The polling shows a majority of Oregonians consider clean water, clean air, and open spaces to be a very important issue when casting their ballots.
The poll also shows that overwhelming majorities believe it's important for the Legislature to combat global warming and promote water conservation.
The full polling report is online, along with a press release.
2007 Environmental Handbook for the Oregon Legislature
OLCV Education Fund's Legislative Handbook provides information on key environmental issues in Oregon, written by local experts. It is distributed free in digital format to to elected officials, candidates and the press every year.
Check out the table of contents and individual chapters.
Or download the entire handbook as a pdf (it's 134 pages).
