SalemWatch: House Moves Forward on Climate Change
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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 Oregon’s transportation sector contributes almost 40% of our global warming pollution. House Bill 2186 takes several steps to reducing pollution from transportation, efforts that have been studied for years and have many benefits to consumers and businesses. It would reduce global warming pollution from fuel by 10% by 2020, helping Oregon's emerging businesses that provide lower polluting fuel. It would also improve tire efficiency and the aerodynamics of long-haul trucks, allowing consumers and truckers to save fuel and money. The Bill passed in the House this morning (32-28)!
Thanks to all who made it happen.
Contact: Jake Weigler, Healthy Climate Partnership, (503) 206-4472 Thanks to all who voiced their opinion on this bill! Congratulations to those who worked hard on it. Stop the Spread of Invasive Species
 Senate Bill 571 in the House
Major Threats to a Healthy Oregon
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Time spent outdoors is critical to the emotional, intellectual, and physical health of students. Studies show students who directly experience the natural world have overall improved academic performance, self-esteem, increased problem solving skills, and a sense of personal responsibility and community involvement. HB 2544, the No Oregon Child Left Inside Act, addresses this issue by creating a task force dedicated to producing an Oregon student Environmental Literacy Plan. This bi-partisan legislation situates Oregon to receive up to $1 million of Federal stimulus dollars. Testimony was heard yesterday, May 7, and the bill will be up for a public work session in the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education next week.
3. Bottle Bill Stalled Once Again
The modest bill that would slowly expand Oregon’s bottle bill, now HB 2184-B, was sent to the House Revenue committee so that it may be debated along with HB 3465, the bill that would allow the state to capture some of the money generated from unredeemed deposits instead of lining the pockets of distributors.
At this point it is becoming much less likely that we will see further expansion of Oregon’s bottle bill this session.
You can read more about HB 3465 here, here and here.
Contacts: Katy Daily, Recycling Advocates, (503) 515-3474 Kristen Leonard, Association of Oregon Recyclers, (503) 320-9427 4. Oregon's House Moves to Protect Children from Diesel Exposure Thanks to your support, the Oregon House of Representatives approved House Bill 2795 with only two ‘no’ votes! The bill passed by the House last Friday requires that all diesel school buses in Oregon are 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 now goes on to 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. The bill was a win-win in that it imposed no additional fiscal impact to Oregon schools’ budgets.
Contact: Renee Hackenmiller-Paradis, Oregon Environmental Council, 503-222-1963, x110 5. A Bill to Increase Penalty on Environmental Fines Senate Bill 105 proposes to increase the maximum penalty amounts for violation of certain environmental laws. The current maximum penalty for most pollution control laws is of $10,000 per violation per day. This amount was set in 1973 and at current value is only about $2,500… not a serious deterrent to prevent violations of environmental laws. Raising the maximum penalty will put Oregon in line with most other state’s environmental penalties. Industry is pushing back on this bill saying this is not the right time to penalize polluters. Your support is needed to help get this bill passed. SB 105 is up for a work session on Tuesday, May 12 at 3:00 pm before the House Environment and Water Committee. Let committee members and your legislator know this is an important bill to prevent violations of environmental laws. Contact: Sue Marshall, Confluence Consulting, (971) 506-4617 6. House Floor Vote Imminent on SB 631 Phosphorus Ban Urge your representative to support this bill and thank chief sponsor Sen. Dingfelder for her leadership on this issue.
7. Invasive Species Control Legislation Continued to Move House Bill 2212 and House Bill 2213 both passed the Senate on Thursday unanimously (25-0 and 25-0). 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 Invasive Species Council within 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. You can learn more by going to the Council’s website
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