The environment community’s first victory of the special session is almost complete.
Today the Senate voted to approve HB 3613, a ten-year ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in Oregon’s territorial sea.
The bill now goes to Governor Kulongoski for his signature. Brock Howell of Environment Oregon says that the Governor’s staff testified in favor of the ban, so it’s likely Kulongoski will sign it.
A unanimous Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted this afternoon to send HB 3613 to the Senate floor.
The bill bans offshore oil and gas drilling in Oregon’s territorial waters for ten years.
The Senate is expected to vote today on SB 1032, the BPA ban. The bill prohibits the manufacture and sale of baby plastic bottles and cups that contain bisphenol A.
But just before the Senate opens for business, OPB’s Think Out Loud program features a discussion about BPA, the new concerns about its health impacts on young children, and if regulating the chemical should be up to the states, or to the federal government. The program begins at 9am and features speakers from the Oregon Environment Council, Northwest Grocery Association, the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families Coalition, and Eden Foods.
Thursday’s green agenda in Salem includes the first hearing on a proposed bisphenol A (BPA) ban, and a possible vote on a bill to ban offshore oil and gas drilling near the Oregon coast.
Some updates to pass along on three bills we’re following in the special session.
Bills to ban offshore drilling and plastic bags are hanging in there. The plastic bag ban even received an unexpected boost. Then there’s a bill that would make it harder for LNG projects to win state approval. That bill has finally found a home.
The Oregon League of Conservation Voters says its focusing on three environmental bills on the upcoming special session of the Legislature.
They include a ban on BPA, a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, and a plan to help Oregon’s largest metro communities reduce greenhouse gases.
