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Implement Global Warming Solutions
We must take action to reduce global warming pollution, which if left unchecked will lead to increased forest fires, water shortages, and major disruptions to our economy. The Legislature should place a mandatory, declining cap on global warming pollution.
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Promote Water Conservation
Farmers, fishermen, cities, businesses and local communities all need adequate water supplies to thrive. It’s our responsibility to ensure a legacy of healthy rivers for everyone and everything that depends on them.
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Preserve Oregon’s Coastal Legacy
Global warming, pollution, increasing population, and coastal development are taking a toll – and our ocean’s future health is at risk. The Legislature should create a system of marine protected areas and reserves in Oregon’s Territorial Sea.
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Increase Transportation Options
As the Oregon Legislature considers new transportation investments, we must make sure to use more efficient land use planning and invest in transportation options. This will reduce the amount of time Oregonians spend in traffic, improve our health, and reduce the amount we spend on gas.
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Ensure New Energy Supplies are Responsible
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) emits 20-30% more global warming pollution than domestic natural gas. LNG terminals planned for Oregon would mainly send gas to California, which has rejected LNG because of safety and environmental concerns.
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Stop the Spread of Invasive Species
Oregon must take action to stop the spread of invasive plant, animal, and aquatic species. The Legislature should require boats entering the state be cleaned, to prevent the introduction of invasive snails and mussels into Oregon’s waterways.
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More environmental wins
before the last gavel
On the last full day of the 2009 Oregon Legislative
session, more important environmental protections were sent to the
Governor. They included:
- A historic water management package
- Tougher pollution limits on coal plants
- A bill that will protect Oregon taxpayers and the environment from the costly damage of invasive species
Click here for a session summary and a list of this session's environmental wins and losses or check out the Blog of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters.
Low-carbon fuel standard
heads to Governor
A concurrence vote has passed House Bill 2186, which is now on its way to the governor to be signed into law.
As amended in the Senate, the bill allows the state to develop a low-carbon fuel standard, which would reduce the carbon dioxide pollution from fuel by 10% by 2020. Once signed by the Governor, Oregon will join California and eleven Northeast states in moving toward low carbon fuels.
Victory! TriMet/Lane Transit Funding Bill on its way to the Governor
All Oregonians deserve affordable transportation to commute to work, grocery shop, visit the doctor, and recreate. Unfortunately, one million Oregonians are too poor, young, old, or infirm to drive. Public transit is essential to providing these Oregonians transportation freedom, while giving us all transportation choices.
Senate Bill 34 puts two of the state's transit districts, TriMet (Portland region) and the Lane Transit District, on firm financial ground by lifting the state limit on local authority over the payroll tax from 0.7% to 0.8%. This moderate increase of financial stability will also help the transit districts receive significant federal matching grants.
Senate Bill 34 passed the House Floor (32-28) last week, making it the second OCN priority bill that is on the way to the Governor.
Friday, May 8: Oregon House passes clean energy bill!
House Bill 2186 tackles the low-hanging fruit of the state’s global warming pollution.
SALEM,
OR – The Oregon House of Representatives today passed the first climate
change bill of the session with a 32-28 vote. House Bill 2186,
introduced as part of the governor’s healthy climate package,
authorizes the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission to adopt
common-sense, cost-effective strategies that will not only reduce the
state’s global warming emissions but also will spur local innovation
and business opportunities, and save Oregonians money.
Read more about HB 2186.
Here are the legislators who voted AGAINST HB 2186.
Barker, Bentz, Berger, Beyer, Boone, Bruun, Cameron,
Esquivel, Freeman, Garrard, Gilliam, Gilman, Hanna, Huffman, Jenson,
Kennemer, Krieger, Maurer, Olson, Richardson, Schaufler, Smith G.,
Sprenger, Thatcher, Thompson, Weidner, Whisnant, Wingard
If your legislator is NOT on this list, it means they voted yes, and should be thanked.
Read about upcoming hearings and floor votes in the Oregon Conservation Network's weekly Hot List.
What is the Oregon Conservation Network?
More than 40 of Oregon’s leading environmental groups have joined together to set six priorities for the 2009 Oregon Legislature.
Our elected officials have the responsibility to protect those things
that keep Oregon a special place for our families to call home − our
forests, farmland, rivers, fish and wildlife.
Taking action on these six Priorities for a Healthy Oregon, while resisting calls to weaken existing safeguards, will help us leave a strong legacy for our children and grandchildren.
Download the PDF of our 2009 Priorities.
View the list of Environmental Community Lobbyists.
View the list of OCN groups.
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