The Governors of Oregon and Washington hope to put to rest some of the nagging doubts over plans for a new I-5 bridge between Portland and Vancouver.
Kulongoski and Gregoire say they’re forming an outside panel to review the project – better known as the Columbia River Crossing. The panel’s job will be to make sure the work can be done on time and on budget.
A good first step, but more needs to be done.
That sums up the reaction from Oregon’s political and environmental leaders to the news that the feds will start regulating greenhouse gas emissions from passenger cars and trucks.
They also say it’s a reminder that if not for California, Oregon, Washington and 12 other states – the feds might still be delaying instead of taking action.
The EPA wants to limit greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. Photo from ODOT.
The Obama Administration is taking the federal government’s first steps to reduce greenhouse gases – and it’s starting with cars and trucks.
It’s doing this by requiring new passenger vehicles to get better gas mileage. Cars that burn less fuel also produce less pollution, including greenhouse gases.
The new rules kick in for the 2012 model year and get increasingly tough over a four year period.
Groups opposed to the current plans for a new I-5 bridge between Portland and Vancouver are calling for a protest Friday morning.
Stop The Columbia River Crossing and the Coalition For A Livable Future are asking people to show up at 9:30am outside ODOT’s offices at 123 NW Flanders in Portland. That’s where the Project’s Sponsor Council will be meeting at 10am.
Another new development, a large coalition of environmental and other activists are taking on the Governors of Oregon and Washington for their support of the project.
UPDATE: Our initial vote tally was incorrect. It’s been updated.
In the last days of the special session, one more victory notch in the belt of Oregon’s environmental community.
This afternoon, the House approved SB 1059, a bill that lowers greenhouse gas emissions from car and light trucks. The Oregon Environmental Council says the vote was 32-26. The Senate approved the bill yesterday, all that’s left is getting the Governor’s signature.
Here’s a brief rundown of what’s in the bill:
Update:
1000 Friends of Oregon and the Oregon Environmental Council released a joint statement praising the bill.
Mary Kyle McCurdy, 1000 Friends of Oregon Policy Director says, “This victory will help create healthier, sustainable communities across Oregon. And it’s a major step for giving Oregonians better transportation choices.”
“SB 1059 is a win-win for cities and towns across Oregon,” says Chris Hagerbaumer, Deputy Director of the Oregon Environmental Council. “The bill will help create the tools and resources local governments need to make cost effective decisions on planning future growth while also improving air quality and reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Cities and towns of all sizes will be able to use the tools that the agencies develop.”
The Senate is expected to vote this afternoon on SB 1059, a bill regulating greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks.
Under the bill, state agencies will set greenhouse gas reduction targets for five metro areas in the state, Salem-Keizer, Eugene-Springfield, Bend, Medford and Corvallis. The Portland metro area is already covered by a similar law.
The bill also calls for the state to help the metro areas by giving them help with planning and ideas on the best ways to reach the goals.
Supporters are hoping this will encourage more metro areas in the state to expand their mass transit options, and look for ways to control sprawl.
The Senate convenes this afternoon starting at 1pm. Brock Howell of Environment Oregon says if the bill passes, the House could vote on as soon as tomorrow.
Here’s one part of the green agenda for the special session that’s moving along. SB 1059 which lowers greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks was approved today by the Ways and Means Committee. Next stop is the Senate Floor.
This is what the bill does.
Supporters hope this will lead to more mass transit in the regions covered by the bill, and help prevent sprawl.
Thanks to 1000 Friends of Oregon for the tip!
A bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks was approved this afternoon by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
But rather than going straight to the Senate floor, SB 1059 will be taking an unexpected detour.
THURSDAY:
Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030
City Commissioners take another stab at trying to pass a 20-year bicycle plan for Portland. It calls for spending about $600 million to add another 700 miles of bike paths in the city. The goal is to get Portlanders to take 25% of their daily trips on their bicycles by 2030. The plan hit a snag last week when questions were raised about where the money would come from. A report in the Oregonian says the current thinking is to pass the plan now, and figure out later where to find the money.
The meeting at City Hall starts at 3pm.
Solar Powered State Fair
