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Priorities for a Healthy Oregon |
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
 There are two priority bills slated for action next week. A work session has been scheduled for House Bill 2220, a bill that would allow the creation of highway border stations to clean boats entering the state to prevent the introduction of invasive mussels and weeds into Oregon's waterways. If quagga and zebra mussels get into Oregon's water systems they could cause millions of dollars of damages to water pipes and hydroelectric systems, and wreak havoc on Oregon's ecosystems. HB 2220 also increases the penalties for intentionally introducing invasive species.
Senate Bill 571 would increase penalties for intentional introduction of live fish into Oregon waters. Some fishermen stock their favorite fish in lakes where they do not belong, an act known as “bucket biology.” These non-native fish can end up being invasive, causing significant ecological and economic harm. It passed out of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources committee this week 5-0, and is now on its way to the Senate Floor. SB 571 would also allow the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to sue guilty parties for the costs of restitution. The illegal introduction of tui chub fish to Diamond Lake cost the state over $5 million to clean up in 2006.
Contact: Tom Wolf, Trout Unlimited, (503) 883-1102
Ensure New Energy Supplies are Responsible
 House Bill 2015, the Oregon Liquefied Natural Gas Public Protection Act, strengthens the state's role in the permitting of LNG terminals and related pipelines. The bill would require the Oregon Department of Energy to do an assessment before issuing state water rights or granting state land leases. The assessment would determine whether there is a significant need in Oregon for the gas, whether it would benefit consumers, and whether it is consistent with Oregon's strategies to address climate change. Chief sponsors are Representatives Riley and Boone and Senator Prozanski.
We expect a hearing this Thursday, April 16, at 1pm, in the House Sustainability and Economic Development Committee. Contact committee administrator, Barbara Allen, 503-986-1519 to confirm.
For more information, contact Sue Marshall, Confluence Consulting (971) 506-4617 or Brett VandenHeuvel, Columbia Riverkeeper (503) 348-2436
Implement Global Warming Solutions
 Defending Tax Credits for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
The House Revenue Committee is considering a series of bills to cut the state's investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy by reducing the value of the Residential Energy Tax Credit (RETC) and Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC). Three specific concepts have been declared a Major Threat to Oregon's environment: 1. reducing the existing facility cost limit of $20 million for renewable generation projects in half to $10 million; 2. removing a provision allowing a project's initial cost estimate to be up to 10% off, and 3. using the value of Energy Trust of Oregon grants per project to reduce the credit amount.
These amendments could lead to fewer renewable energy generation projects in Oregon, harming both our economy and our environment. Projects that received the tax credits in 2007 and 2008 reduced greenhouse gas emissions equal to half of the annual emissions from the Boardman coal-fired power plant and have created an estimated 1,700 jobs. Due in part to citizen pressure (thanks to those who wrote in!) Revenue Committee Chair Barnhart has elected not to pursue the amendment pertaining to the Energy Trust. The other two amendments are still being considered. Additional work sessions are scheduled for Thursday, April 16th and Friday, April 17th and 8:00 am. Contact Revenue Chair Phil Barnhart and Vice Chair Cliff Bentz to voice your concerns about these amendments, (503) 986-1000.
Hearing on Bill to Cut Carbon Emissions Continues
Due to the volume of public interest in Senate Bill 80, the centerpiece of this year's climate agenda, yesterday's hearing will continue this week. SB 80 would establish a clear path to reduce Oregon's carbon emissions according to the goals set by the Legislature in 2007. Without accountability for reaching those goals, we can't stop global warming or create a new green energy economy. In the past few weeks, Senators Vicki Walker and Jackie Dingfelder and Representatives Ben Cannon, Jules Bailey, and Tobias Read have drafted a series of proposed amendments to SB 80 in an effort to forge a compromise on how Oregon will move forward in meeting the state greenhouse gas reduction goals passed by the legislature in 2007. The proposal would establish a deliberative, public process for crafting a comprehensive approach that will meet Oregon's reduction goals. Read here for more information on updates and amendments.
The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee held a public hearing on SB 80 yesterday, Thursday, April 9. Former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury led the hearing, testifying in support of the Bill. You can listen to it online here. So many members of the public signed up to testify, the committee chose to extend testimony into an additional hearing next week on Tuesday, April 14th at 3:00 pm in HR C.
Contact: Jake Weigler, Healthy Climate Partnerships, (503) 206-4473
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 1. Budget Process Released; Hearings in Late April
If you haven't yet heard, Oregon is short of money to serve its critical needs. In fact, the Legislature has asked for state agencies to list what they would cut if forced to cut 30 percent of their budgets, which may be necessary given the fiscal crisis. Those projected cuts are listed online.
The Ways and Means Committee will now embark on two weeks of public hearings around the state - Lincoln City on April 20, Portland on April 21, and Salem on April 23. Additional hearings include Bend, Ashland, and Eugene; the full schedule will be released next week. These are critical hearings for citizens who care about Oregon's legacy in protecting air, water, and land to attend. After those hearings, a draft budget will be released by the Co-Chairs of Ways and Means, Senator Margaret Carter and Representative Peter Buckley.
Read more about the process.
2. Major Threat: Bill to Allow Pipeline Permits without Landowner Notice
House Bill 3058 changes the definition of applicant under removal-fill permitting to allow non-landowners, such as utility companies, to apply for a permit to fill or remove material in waters of the state without permission from the current landowners. Under the bill, non-owners could file an application without the knowledge of the landowner. This is a significant change that limits property owners’ rights to know whether there is a pending application on their property and could accelerate utility siting and any development proposed on or in stream banks and waters of the state. Opponents of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) pipelines are concerned that this accelerates the process of siting pipelines at the expense of property owners. A public hearing was held on April 9 in the House Sustainability and Economic Development Committee.
Contact Brett VandenHeuvel, Columbia Riverkeeper or Sue Marshall, Confluence Consulting, 971-506-4617.
3. Pesticide Use Reporting System up for work session next week
On Tuesday, April 14th, the House Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Communities Committee will hold a vote on House Bill 2999. Oregon's Pesticide Use Reporting System (PURS) program collects data on what pesticides are used in Oregon and in what areas they are used. HB 2999 would extend the sunset of the PURS program to January 2, 2016 in order to collect six more years of vital pesticide data and improve the scientific usefulness of the data collected by moving from a water basin level of reporting to a watershed level of reporting. Please contact the members of the House Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Communities Committee and your local legislator and encourage them to support a healthy Oregon by continuing the critical and unfinished work started by the Oregon Pesticide Use Reporting System through passage of HB 2229.
Contact: Kristin Leonard, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Peticides, (503) 320-9427
4. Destination Resorts Bill up for a Floor Vote
House Bill 2227 updates Oregon's destination resort policy to avoid some of the conflicts that recent destination resorts have generated. As amended, the bill would provide greater protection for farming and ranching from resort impacts. Resort developments will also be held more accountable for their impacts on public roads, services such as fire protection and natural resources.
This week, the House Land Use Committee passed out the bill on a 5-3 party-line vote, and was held over for a floor vote until Monday.
Contact: Danielle Welliever, 1000 Friends of Oregon, (360) 259-8385
Why Repower Oregon?
Join the Healthy Climate Partnership and OLCV for a special presentation on the benefits of taking responsible, immediate action in the fight against global warming vs the high cost of doing nothing.
When: 6-8 pm, Thursday April 16
Where: The First United Methodist Church, in the Carrier Room, 600 State Street, Salem
Speakers: Representative Jules Bailey, Senior Policy Analyst at ECONorthwest; Bob Stacey, Executive Director at 1000 Friends; Catherine Thomasson, MD, President of Physicians for Social Responsibility.
RSVP here!
Oregon Bike Summit coming up!
On April 21st and 22nd, join a gathering of legislators, bike advocates, and key members of Oregon's cycling community in Salem as we join force to continue the fight for maintaining Oregon's status as a premier cycling state.
Read more about the activities of the day that will include influential keynote speakers, powerful lobbying sessions and a refreshing bike ride on the 22nd.
Tuesday, April 21st, 1-7pm
Wednesday, April 22nd, 7-7pm
Salem Conference Center
200 Commercial Street SE, Salem
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 legislators' newsletter online. Use the link to find out who your representative and senator are.
Coming Up - This Saturday, April 11th.
 Representative Tina Kotek and Representative Carolyn Tomei 
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
SMILE Station
8210 SE 13th Ave
 Representative Michael Dembrow
9:00 - 10:30 am
Manhattan Cafe
2735 NE Broadway
Brought to you this week by OLCV Executive Director, Jonathan Poisner
A family farmers' perspective on Protecting Oregon Farmland
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