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.
Work on the environment community’s agenda for the special session resumes Tuesday.
The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee becomes the unofficial epicenter in the afternoon when it takes up two of the most important green bills of the session.
Starting with….
