SalemWatch: Will the Legislature Move Forward, or Backward, on Clean Energy

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 the Priorities for a Healthy Oregon visit www.oregonpriorities.org

Preserve Oregon's Coastal Legacy

marine reserves
Consensus Marine Reserves Bill: On Senate Floor.

House Bill 3013A outlines a detailed plan and timeline to complete evaluation of six potential marine reserve sites recommended by the Governor’s Ocean Policy Advisory Council. In addition, the bill establishes two pilot marine reserve projects at Otter Rock near Depoe Bay and Redfish Rocks near Port Orford and prescribes a process to evaluate the potential for reserves in four other areas of the coast. The bill outlines a balanced and diverse procedure for the planning of Oregon’s new marine reserves, including the development of regional community groups that will assist with the shaping of potential marine reserve sites: Cape Falcon north of Manzanita, Cascade Head north of Lincoln City, Cape Perpetua south of Yachats and Cape Arago-Seven Devils south of Coos Bay.

The Governor and the Co-Chairs of Ways and Means Committee have included this bi-partisan bill in each of their budgets, identifying surplus settlement funds to be used from the grounding of the New Carissa cargo ship. Sponsors and supporters agree that funds generated from an oil spill settlement should be used for marine science and conservation. The bill should be voted on soon.

Contact: Kristin Leonard, Our Ocean, (503) 320-9427

Stop the Spread of Invasive Species

invasives
Invasive Species Bills May Move Next Week

While the Legislature has passed one invasive species priority bill (SB 571), two others have lingered – House Bill 2220 and House Bill 2020. Rumor is the bills may be scheduled for movement next Tuesday, June 16, in the Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee.

House Bill 2220 would allow the creation of highway border stations to require boats entering the state be inspected and cleaned if needed, to prevent the introduction of invasive snails and mussels into Oregon's waterways. HB 2220 also increases the penalties for intentionally introducing invasive species, something that can happen when fisherman stock a favorite non-native fish in the wrong lake. Such an action required a $6 million eradication effort in Southern Oregon's Diamond Lake just three years ago.

House Bill 2020 would set up an earmarked fund to respond quickly to invasive species outbreaks. Quick response to eradicate invasive species can save the public millions of dollars, as well as preventing expensive damages to key industries such as Oregon’s billion-dollar-a-year nursery industry.

The Oregonian wrote about the dangers of aquatic invasives in an article today.

Contact: Tom Wolf, Trout Unlimited, (503) 883-1102

Implement Global Warming Solutions

climateSenate Bill 38, Measuring and Reporting Pollution Emissions: To the Senate Floor for a Concurrence Vote

Senate Bill 38, which would allow Oregon to complete an inventory of our major sources of global warming pollution, passed the House of Representatives this week (37-22)! The bill allows the Environmental Quality Commission to require those who import or distribute fossil fuels or electricity in the state to report the greenhouse-gas emissions that result from those activities. Gaining an accurate picture of where our carbon emissions come from will be critical to implementing federal or state global warming legislation and achieving the necessary reductions in pollution. As the bill was amended in the House, the Senate must approve the new version.

Contact: Jake Weigler, Healthy Climate Partnership, (503) 206-4473

Senate Bill 79, Energy Efficient Buildings: To the Senate Floor for a Vote

Senate Bill 79, one of OCN’s four priority climate bills, will cut energy waste from buildings by 10 to 25 percent by ensuring building codes are updated to increase energy efficiency. This will save Oregon families and businesses millions of dollars and increase Oregon’s energy independence.

SB 79 directs the Department of Consumer and Business Services to update the state’s building code to improve energy efficiency from new nonresidential buildings by 15 to 25%, and improve efficiency of residential buildings by 10 to 15%. The bill also directs DCBS to develop a “Reach Code” – a set of optional construction standards that go beyond the building code, and directs DCBS to create uniform energy conservation standards for new or retrofitted buildings.

The bill came out of the Joint Ways and Means Committee yesterday with bipartisan support, and is headed to the Senate floor for a vote.

Contact: Evan Manvel, OLCV/Oregon Conservation Network, 503-515-8548

House Bill 2186, Common Sense Climate Bill: in Senate Rules Committee

House Bill 2186, known primarily for creating a low carbon fuel standard, is a common-sense conservation bill. It takes several steps to reduce pollution from transportation, efforts that have been studied for years and provide many benefits to consumers and businesses. As currently drafted, HB 2186 would reduce global warming pollution from fuel 10% by 2020, spurring emerging local businesses that provide less polluting fuel. It would also improve tires for cars and the aerodynamics of long-haul trucks, allowing consumers and truckers to save fuel and money. The bill is in committee, and amendments are being considered. We should see a vote on the Senate Floor as early as next week.

Contact: Jake Weigler, Healthy Climate Partnership, 503-206-4473

Major Threats to a Healthy Oregon

major threatHB 3058: LNG Fast-Track Bill on its way to Senate
Status: Passed House, in Senate Rules Committee

The Oregon House recently passed House Bill 3058, which would speed up the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipelines. The Oregon Conservation Network has declared this bill a major threat to a healthy Oregon, as LNG emits much more global warming pollution over its life cycle than domestic gas. The bill would allow out-of-state LNG corporations like Texas-based NorthernStar Natural Gas to get dredge and fill permits on other Oregonians’ land, and waste state agency time processing permits that may never be used. There simply is no need to accelerate the siting of damaging, dirty, expensive LNG facilities to serve California's energy demands.

Click here to urge your Senators to vote no on this bill!

Contact: Evan Manvel, OLCV/Oregon Conservation Network, (503) 515-8548

HB 2940: Erosion of the Renewable Energy Standard
Status: In Senate Rules Committee

The Senate is considering House Bill 2940, which would cause damaging erosion to Oregon’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES). Currently, the RES requires Oregon utilities to provide their customers with 25% new renewable energy by 2025. As currently amended, HB 2940 would dramatically cut the amount of new renewable energy required by the RES. The bill represents a giant step backward for clean energy in Oregon, and conservation groups around the state are opposed to it.

If HB 2940 passes, much less new renewable energy - and associated greenhouse-gas emissions reductions, jobs, property-tax income, landowner payments, and other economic benefits – would be serving Oregon families.

Please contact Senate President Peter Courtney to express your opposition to HB 2940 and ask him to vote No, or follow this link to an email that is ready to be sent to your legislator today.

Contact: Suzanne Leta Liou, Renewable Northwest Project, (503) 223-4544

Hot Topics

1. The Metolius Protection Act of 2009 Passes the Senate

The Senate took an important step in protecting the Metolius by passing House Bill 3298, the Metolius Protection Act (Read the story here). HB 3298 is our best chance to give the Metolius the long-term protection it so richly deserves. Naming the Metolius an Area of Critical State Concern will protect the area from the negative impacts of two controversial destination resorts proposed in and near the Metolius Basin. HB 3298 passed in the Senate (16-12), with Senators Walker and Metsger joining all Republicans present in voting no (Sens. Nelson and Atkinson were not present). It is now on its way to the House for a vote, as it is a different bill than the House-passed HB 3298.

Contact: Danielle Welliever, 1000 Friends of Oregon, (360) 259-8385

2. Another Victory in the Fight for Healthy and Green Schools!

Reducing the use of pesticides in schools is an effective way to improve our school environments and the health of our kids. Senate Bill 637 will create healthier schools by requiring that all K-12 schools in Oregon adopt Integrated Pest Management policies, reducing the use of pesticides in and around schools. This bill re-passed the Senate this morning (approving of House amendments) and is on its way to the Governor!

Contact: Andrea Salinas, Oregon Environmental Council, (971) 221-2653 or Renee Hackenmiller-Paradis, Oregon Environmental Council, (503) 222-1963

3. Will the Legislature Move Forward on Green Jobs?

Jonathan Poisner, Executive Director of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, published an op-ed in today's Oregonian that offers the environmental perspective on the state of the session. "Now more than ever, Oregon needs bold leadership to take action on the climate crisis and take advantage of the economic opportunities it provides," Poisner writes.

Get Involved

OCN - get involved

Legislative Town Halls and Constituent Coffees

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...

Representative Jules Kopel Bailey leads Pedalpalooza ride
Sunday, June 13th
11:00 am
Bikers meet at Sunnyside Elementary School
3421 SE Salmon, Portland