Who says we can't make a difference?  This Tuesday the Oregon State Senate took a bold step and overwhelmingly passed the most aggressive Renewable Energy Standard in the country, setting the stage for making 2007 a landmark year for Oregon's environment.

On Tuesday, SB 838, which requires 25% of Oregon's electricity come from clean, renewable energy, overwhelmingly passed the Senate with a 20-10 vote.  This is a huge step in reversing Oregon's contribution to global warming and helps us create a healthier environment for many generations to come.

SB 838 is moving fast, and two hearings are already scheduled for Monday and Wednesday, April 16^th and 18^th in the House Energy and Environment committee.  Public testimony is welcome for Wednesday’s hearing, and both will be at 1pm in HR C.

Other pieces of the Clean Energy Agenda are moving as well. HB 2620, which requires 1.5% investment for solar on major construction projects of public buildings, passed out of the House Energy and Environment committee this week, and is expected to be on the House floor soon.

A hearing was held on Thursday in the Senate Environment and Natural Resources committee for SB 576 which requires that major facility projects be planned, designed, constructed and renovated to meet LEED Gold or Silver certification.  Unfortunately, there is major opposition from the timber industry because of opposition to the requirement of FSC certification on wood.

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