Posts Tagged ‘ greenhouse gas legislation ’

Session Watch: Senate Approves Greenhouse Gas Bill

February 23, 2010
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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.”

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Climate Change Bill Approved By Oregon House

May 8, 2009
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The first major piece of climate change legislation passed the Oregon House today on a narrow, 32-28 vote.

House Bill 2186 takes a number of steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including…

  • Requires tire companies to start selling “low rolling resistance” tires that improve gas mileage and reduce pollution.  Supporters say tires cost about $7 – $12 more per set, but can save drivers anywhere from $50 – $150 in lower fuel costs.
  • Allows Oregon DEQ to require long haul truckers to improve the aerodynamics of their rigs, giving them better fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  The Oregon League Of Conservation Voters says this could save truckers billions of dollars in annual fuel costs.
  • Restricts unneeded idling for heavy trucks and ships at ports.  Allows the DEQ to set exemptions.
  • Introduces a low carbon fuel standard.  Fuel suppliers will have to reduce the greenhouse emissions of the fuel they sell in Oregon10% by 2020.  Gives suppliers some flexibility in how they meet the standards.

Environmental groups were quick to praise the legislation.  Evan Manvel with the Oregon League of Conservation Voters calls HB 2186 a “no-brainer”, because it focuses on simple changes he says, “Will help pave the way to a green economy that will create local jobs and save precious dollars for Oregon’s working families.”

Other major supporters include the Healthy Climate Partnership and the Oregon Environmental Council.

But Oregonians for Food and Shelter, which represents agriculture interests, has criticized the bill saying it gives DEQ “loose reins” to bring Oregon in line with California’s greenhouse gas regulations.  The group says retrofitting trucks for better aerodynamics will cost $5,000 – $15,000 per rig and will cost drivers far more than what it will save them in fuel efficiency.

Greenhouse Gas And Bottle Bills Move Forward

April 28, 2009
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The update of Oregon’s Bottle Bill was sent to the House floor this afternoon, but not without a concession to grocery stores.  House Bill 2184 adds several new beverages to the bottle bill list.  It also raises the refund from five cents to ten cents, if Oregonians don’t meet certain recycling goals.  The Environment and Water Committee approved it on a 5-2 party line vote.

Grocers want to create a statewide system of redemption centers, so that they don’t have to handle so many bottle returns.  A dispute over which stores would have to accept returns, and how many, was dropped to help the bill pass.

As for the Greenhouse gas legislation, the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee approved it on a 3-2 party line vote.  Senate bill 80 puts into place plans to reduce greenhouse emissions in the state over the next 40 years.  It was forwarded to the Joint Ways and Means Committee, meaning a floor vote is still in doubt.

Walden Vs Gore On Biomass, See The Video

April 28, 2009
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Have you noticed all the news attention Representative Greg Walden is getting for his recent “debate” with Vice President Al Gore?

The two squared off over forest biomass, and whether or not it should be considered a form of renewable energy. The exchange came during a week long string of hearings on national greenhouse gas legislation.

Gore was skeptical. He appeared concerned that thinning federal forests for biomass fuel might encourage too much logging.

But Walden was clearly frustrated that biomass was not in the bill as a renewable energy source. He wants more thinning partly because he thinks it will help reduce wildfires. He also sees more jobs in the forests if thinning is ramped up, and at new power plants that could be built using biomass as fuel.

Walden isn’t alone in his point of view. Senator Ron Wyden and Rep. Peter DeFazio also support including forest biomass on the renewable energy list.

Walden’s office posted the exchange on its YouTube page.

The exchange was well covered in the Bend Bulletin, and Walden carried on with his argument a few days later in White City as seen in this Medford Mail Tribune story.