SalemWatch: First OCN Victory!

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.

Stop the Spread of Invasive Species

ocn's invasive species
We have several bills as part of our Priorities for a Healthy Oregon -- and the first to come to a floor vote sailed through. House Bill 2213, which would make fighting invasive species easier, passed the Oregon House on a 58-0 vote this Tuesday. It now heads to the Oregon Senate. The bill would place the Oregon Invasive Species Council within the Department of Agriculture and give the Council the power to enter into contracts and other agreements. Conservation groups support the bill, which would help ensure Oregon's coordination of efforts to fight invasive species that can harm our economy and environment.

Congratulations to Tom Wolf, Dave Moskowitz, and all of the other advocates!

Implement Global Warming Solutions

OCN's globalwarming
A new study put out by University of Oregon's Climate Leadership Initiative's Program assessed the climate report done by ECONorthwest, finding that failure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could result in Oregon's loss of $3.3 billion, annually, by the year 2020. Read more about the need to act on Climate Change NOW.

Increase Transportation Options

OCN's transportation
Advocates are working diligently to ensure key environmental provisions are retained in the Jobs and Transportation Act. The first round of public hearings on a transportation package are expected to happen the first week of March - stay tuned.

Protect our Coastal Legacy

OCN's marine reserves
On Wednesday, activists gathered in Salem for the inaugural showing of Common Ground III: Oregon's Network of Marine Reserves and Marine Protected Areas; the latest documentary from Green Fire Productions. After the screening, Bill Bradbury moderated an informative panel discussion.

For information on how to get involved with grassroots action, contact Erin Anderson, (503) 221-7922 x12

Ensure New Energy Supplies are Reliable

OCN's clean energy
Oregon is facing 3 proposals to build Liquefied Natural Gas import terminals & over 500 miles of related pipelines. The LNG Public Protection Act would strengthen and clarify the state's role in LNG permitting without challenging federal authority in the permitting process. This bill sets a higher standard for approving these import facilities. This fossil fuel development would gravely impact water and air quality in Oregon and would result in clear cutting hundreds of miles of healthy forests. As we wait for a bill number to come out of the Legislative Council, click here to share your thoughts on LNG terminals with your elected representatives.

Hot Topics!

1. Tri-Met to Cut Budget

The metropolitan transit agency service, Tri-met, under strain from the economic recession, must cut its FY10 budget by 13.5 million dollars. In the next three months, open forums will be held so that the public can come and contribute to the burdensome dilemma. Check out the Tri-Met website for times and locations.

2. Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Technology Act

Last week, we reported that Rep. Tobias Read (D-Beaverton) and Rep. Jules Kopel Bailey (D-Portland) were holding a news conference to kick off their energy efficiency plan called the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Technology (EEAST) Act. The two representatives, along with Rep. Chris Edwards (D-Eugene) and Rep. Tim Freeman (R-Roseburg) held a news conference on February 18th to announce the formal introduction of their bill, HB 2626. The bill seeks to increase energy efficiency efforts in the state and leverage funds to help homeowners pay for efficiency upgrades. The current version of the bill can be found here. Details are still being worked out among a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure the bill takes advantage of existing entities like the Energy Trust of Oregon and the capacity of local consumer-owned utilities in implementing increased energy conservation.

3. Addition to the list of hazardous substances

DecaPBDE is a widely used flame retardant used in everyday products such as furniture, curtains, computers, and carpets, and is known to bioaccumulate in humans, fish, and wildlife. SB 596 would add decaPDBE to the list of hazardous substances and prohibit its use in new products. In the past few years, Maine, Minnessota, and Washington have taken state action to reduce the presence and potential threat of decaPDBE.

For more information contact Travis Williams at (503) 223-6418 or Bob Sallinger at (503) 292-6855.

4. Second Bottle Bill Hearing

The first hearing for HB 2184 happened yesterday and was so heavily attended that not everyone was able to speak. HB 2184 expands Oregon's Bottle Bill to include almost all beverages and raises the deposit to ten cents, in addition to other enhancements. Another hearing has been scheduled for this Thursday, February 26th at 3pm. Meet in the Envirornment & Water Committee, HR D.

Contacts: Katy Daily, Recycling Advocates, (503) 515-3474
Kristin Leonard, Association of Oregon Recyclers, (503) 320-9427

Get Involved

Children and the Environment: Join a Seminar

On Tuesday, March 3, join experts for a seminar on how we can help protect children from exposure to environmental toxins. It is being sponsored by Rachel's Friends Breast Cancer Coalition.

Speakers:
Lisa Arkin, Oregon Toxics Alliance
Renee Hackenmiller-Paradis, Oregon Environmental Council
Joanne Rogovoy, March of Dimes Greater Oregon Chapter:
Oregon State Senator Suzanne Bonamici (invited)

Tuesday, March 3
7:00 - 9:00 pm

Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital Office Bldg. Auditorium
1040 NW 22nd Ave., first floor

www.rachelsfriends.org
rachelsfriendsbcc@gmail.com

Eugene BrewHaHa - Come Think and Drink about Field Burning!

On Wednesday, February 25th at 7:00 pm, join the Lane County Bus Project crew for a monthly forum-in-a-bar: BrewHaHa. This month's topic is Field Burning - come learn the ins and outs.

For more details, contact Ashley Miller, (541) 968-8269

Legislative Town Halls

Over the course of the session, legislators, senators, and their staff make concerted efforts to hold public town halls and coffee chats. Usually held on a weekday evening or weekend morning, it's a great opportunity to learn your elected officials' stances on issues, voice your opinions, and get to know your community. To find out about these, sign up for your legislator's newsletter updates online. Use the link to find out who your legislators and senators are!

Senators Prozanski, Morrisette, and Walker, and Representatives Barnhart, Beyer, and Holvey
Town hall on the State Budget Crisis
Saturday, February 21st
8:30 am - 10:30 am
Willamalane Adult Activity Center
215 West C Street, Springfield OR

Representative Tobias Read
Saturday, February 21st
8:30 - 10:00 am
Ava Roasteria
4655 SW Hall Blvd, Beaverton

Representative Nancy Nathanson
Saturday, February 21st
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Brewed Awakening
2532 Willakenzie Rd, Eugene.

Representative Nick Kahl; special guest Attorney General John Kroger and Multnomah County Sheriff Bob Skipper
Thursday, February 26th
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Joe Edgar Hall
1850 NE 162nd Ave, Portland

Representative Michael Dembrow
Saturday, February 28th
9:30 - 11:00 am
PCC Cascade Cafeteria, Portland
705 N Killingsworth Street

Representative Jules Kopel Bailey
Saturday, February 28th
9:00 - 11:00 am
Muddy Waters
2908 SE Belmont Ave, Portland

Representative Kevin Cameron
Saturday, February 28th
9:00 - 10:00 am
Neufeldt's Restaurant

190 Main Street, Aumsville

Senator Frank Morse, Representative Sara Gelser, and Representative Andy Olson
March 7th, April 4th, May 2nd, and June 6th
Corvallis Public Library

645 NW Monroe Ave, Corvallis

10 am - noon

Representative Greenlick and Senator Bonamici
Saturday, March 7th
11:00 am
Good Samaritan Hospital Auditorium
NW 22nd (between NE Lovejoy and Marshall)

Senator Diane Rosenbaum; special guest John Kroger
Saturday, March 7th
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
SEIU Local 49 HQ
3536 SE 26th Ave

Videos

Some legislators are working to help citizens understand legislative processes - via some great short videos.

Representative Michael Dembrow talks about moving Oregon's Capitol

During the session, SalemWatch is sent out weekly to conservation advocates across the state. Have any submissions? Anything you would like to hear more about? Email Melissa@olcv.org or call at (503) 224-4011.