Things are coming together for the debate later this month that will focus on environmental issues in the race for Governor.
David Sarasohn of the Oregonian will be moderator. Four panelists will be asking the questions.
Things are coming together for the debate later this month that will focus on environmental issues in the race for Governor.
David Sarasohn of the Oregonian will be moderator. Four panelists will be asking the questions.
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.”
Proving the green agenda is far from dead in Salem, the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted 3-2 this afternoon to protect young children from bisphenol A (BPA).
SB 1032 will ban the sale and manufacture of baby bottles and cups that contain BPA. It’s been dubbed the “baby bottle and sippy cups” bill.
The bill moves to the Senate floor. Jeremy Graybill of the Oregon Environmental Council says a vote could come early next week.
While still a victory, the bill has been weakened some since it was introduced.
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.
Oregon’s lawmakers will consider a bill to protect young children from being exposed to bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in many hard plastic bottles and metal food and beverage cans.
Senate Bill 1032 aims to do this in two ways. First, it bans the sale and manufacture of BPA lined containers, if they’re designed primarily for use by children under three years old. It also bans the sale of food and liquid to children under the age of three, if it’s been stored in a BPA lined container.
At least two more groups are calling for protests outside Keller Auditorium, the stage for tonight’s public lecture by former Vice President Al Gore.
Joining the anti-Gore protests will be Americans For Prosperity, a group that opposes cap-and-trade legislation. In their view, it’s an unaffordable tax on energy. The group’s President Tim Phillips will be speaking at the Keller Fountain about 5:30pm.
That’s in addition to the protest already planned by MoveOnDotGore. This group will gather outside Keller about the same time and their agenda appears very similar to Americans For Prosperity, against cap-and-trade and doubters on climate change.
Plus, according to Willamette Week, PETA plans a third protest. They want Gore to stop eating meat and prove his “green” credentials.
The Oregonian reports this morning that someone vandalized Keller Auditorium with anti-Gore graffiti.
Meanwhile environmental groups are rallying supporters to put on a counter demonstration. Repower America, Climate Solutions and Oregon Environmental Council are all spreading the word to gather outside Keller starting about 5:30pm. Get more information here.
So, PETA is promising a “nearly” naked Mother Earth, and MoveOnDotGore is asking people to show up in polar bear costumes. Could be quite show. The best seats for tonight may be outside of Keller.
But on a serious note, no matter how you feel about Gore, climate change and cap-and-trade, this is an excellent opportunity to show up and be heard. With the United Nations Climate Change conference starting in less than three weeks, this issue will dominate the headlines for some time to come.
Not that long ago, Oregon’s top environmental groups were optimistic, almost excited, about getting more money for mass transit, biking and walkable neighborhoods. They put their hopes in House Bill 2001, the giant transportation bill that will guide spending over the next two years.
My how things have changed.
Late this week, those same groups say the bill has morphed into a money for roads bill that leaves little to spend on other forms of transportation. “What started as a balanced transportation package has become an $840 million highway funding bill that takes the state backward,” says Bob Stacey, with 1000 Friends of Oregon. “We can’t support the package in its current form.”
HB 2001 includes a list of 50 road building or road widening projects for Oregon. But only 37 of them are funded in the bill. The money would come from increased gas taxes and vehicle fees.
In a letter to Governor Kulongoski, the groups are calling for three major changes.
The letter was signed by 1000 Friends of Oregon, Oregon Environmental Council, Environment Oregon, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, and the Oregon League of Conservation Voters.
For an interesting perspective on the issue, see this posting by former senatorial candidate Steve Novick on Blue Oregon.
The Special Joint Committee On Transportation held a hearing on HB 2001 Thursday night, and continues work on the bill starting at 1pm in Hearing Room F. If you can’t be there in person you can follow along via streaming video on the Oregon Channel website.
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…
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.
We’re watching today’s hearing on Senate Bill 80, legislation that will put Oregon on a path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state.
The bill tells agencies and industry to develop plans that will meet goals of reducing emissions at least 10% below 1990 levels by the year 2020, and at least 75% below 1990 levels by 2050.
Part of the discussion includes an ongoing argument over whether mandating these goals is a “hard cap” (a term used by opponents) or something else.
Here’s what witnesses are telling the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Andrea Durbin, Oregon Environmental Council, Supporter:
Dave Robertson, Portland General Electric, Opponent:
Tim Miller, Green Lite Motors, Supporter:
Jennifer Hudson, Ash Grove Cement, Opponent:
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