SalemWatch: And the Beat Goes On
|
Each week we will update you on any of OCN’s priorities when there is news to report. For the complete list and overview of all of the Priorities for a Healthy Oregon visit www.oregonpriorities.org Promote Healthy Transportation Options Contact: Brock Howell, Environment Oregon, (503) 231-1986
House Bill 2001, Transportation Package: Committee and possible Floor vote next week After months of hashing out the details behind closed doors, the legislature is poised to introduce amendments to Oregon’s Jobs & Transportation Bill, House Bill 2001, for the House Revenue Committee to hear next week, quickly followed by a House floor vote. The bill's details are still being negotiated. Make sure HB 2001 and our future transportation network will remain balanced, and ask your legislator to ensure the bill includes efforts to ensure our largest cities model global warming impacts as they design transportation plans. Stop the Spread of Invasive Species
 Senate Bill 571 on House Floor Tuesday
Ensure New Energy Supplies are Renewable This bill represents a common-sense approach especially in light of severe cutbacks state agencies are facing in the midst of the economic crisis. Chief sponsors of the bill are Rep. Read and Sen. Walker. Co-sponsors include Representatives Bruun, Cannon, Gilliam, Hunt, Jenson, Kreiger, Nathanson, Riley, Schaufler, Weidner, Witt, and Senators Bates, Carter and Winters. HB 3492 has been assigned to the House Rules Committee and is awaiting a hearing. Please thank the legislators who are sponsoring the bill and encourage the Rules Committee to hold a hearing on this bill. Contact: Sue Marshall, Confluence Consulting, 971-506-4617
LNG Fast-Track Bill Still Alive: Contact Your Legislator Unfortunately the LNG Fast-Track bill, House Bill 3058, still remains alive. The bill undermines the current process for siting LNG pipelines and makes it easier and faster for out-of-state corporations to site dirty fossil fuel facilities. LNG pipelines will tear up Oregon's farms and forests and increase our global warming impact by at least 26% over domestic natural gas.
Please make sure to contact your legislator and speak out against the fast-track bill!
Contact: Evan Manvel, OLCV/Oregon Conservation Network, (503) 515-8548
|
|||
| Hot Topics | |||
 1. Phosphorous in Our Water No Longer Senate Bill 631, a bill that removes phosphorus from all automatic dishwashing soaps that are not for commercial use, would reduce the excessive amount of phosphorus that are already in Oregon's waterways, negatively impacting water quality, and causing algae blooms and fish death. This ban would help us clean up waters and save on the cost of waste water treatment. It passed the Senate and is being voted on in the House on Tuesday. 2. Oregon's House Moves to Protect Children from Diesel Exposure Thanks to your support, the Oregon House of Representatives passed House Bill 2795 (44-2) two weeks ago. The bill requires all diesel school buses in Oregon be retrofitted by 2017 or those that are too old to be retrofitted be replaced by 2025. Reducing diesel emissions from school buses represents one of the most important opportunities to achieve rapid and cost-effective health and environmental benefits in Oregon.
This common-sense legislation is now in the Senate. If passed, it will greatly reduce one of the top health threats to Oregon’s children: exposure to diesel pollution. Diesel pollution and asthma rates among children have some of the strongest associations in clinical studies, and Oregon’s asthma rates are among the worst in the nation. One of the most prominent and preventable sources of exposure to diesel pollution for Oregon’s children is through the exhaust of school buses. This bill is a win-win in that it imposed no additional fiscal impact to Oregon schools’ budgets.
The bill is up for a hearing in Senate Environment Committee Tuesday, May 19th. Contact: Renee Hackenmiller-Paradis, Oregon Environmental Council, (503) 222-1963, x110 3. Invasive Species Control Legislation Continued to Move On Thursday, House Bill 2212 and House Bill 2213 both passed the Senate by large margins.
HB 2212 broadens statutes currently applicable to a single invasive or noxious plant (tansy ragwort) to include all noxious weeds. The bill also expands the Department of Agriculture’s quarantine authority regarding control of nuisance plant pests.
HB 2213 places the Invasive Species Council within the State Department of Agriculture. It also expands Council membership and provides the Council power to enter into contracts and other agreements which should help them with fund raising efforts for federal and private funds. HB 2213 also provides the council with authority to adopt rules and take other actions necessary to carry out their invasive species education and control duties. The bill also allows the Department of Agriculture to enter into interagency agreements with Department of Environmental Quality for sharing of Council administrative expenses and directs Agriculture to become the fiscal agent for the Council.
Take Part in an Epic Climate Rally Legislative Town Halls
Coming Up...
Thursday, May 21st
|
Representative Nick Kahl
Senator Vicki Berger
