June 25, 2007 – Oregon Senate Passes HB 3543, Establishing Firm Targets for the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Oregon
PORTLAND, Ore.—June 25, 2007—Following a Saturday vote in the House of Representatives, the Oregon Senate today approved House Bill 3543, the Climate Change Integration Act. This legislation continues the trajectory of global warming action laid out in the Oregon Strategy for Greenhouse Gas Reductions, released December 2004 by Governor Ted Kulongoski’s Advisory Group on Global Warming. The 21 to 8 vote sends the bill to the desk of Gov. Kulongoski for signing into law.
The Climate Change Integration Act has three major components, the first of which creates specific greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals for the state. These targets are among the most stringent of any state’s goals — including California’s — and commit Oregon to achieving greenhouse gas levels that are at least 75 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Second, the bill establishes a Global Warming Advisory Commission that will not only track and evaluate ongoing measures to reduce global warming pollution, but will also be responsible for making new policy recommendations to the state. As well, the new commission will develop an outreach program to educate Oregonians about the environmental and economic impacts of global warming and ways that individuals and businesses can reduce their own carbon footprint.
Third, the Climate Change Integration Act creates a Climate Change Research Institute which will be run by the Oregon University System. The Institute will provide technical expertise to the Commission and to state agencies and local governments pursuing climate action initiatives. The Institute will advance the understanding of global warming impacts to Oregon’s economy, natural resources and social culture, and study appropriate mitigation and adaptive responses.
“This piece of the legislation recognizes that Oregon has a significant role to play in the country’s efforts to address global warming,” said Andrea Durbin, Executive Director of the Oregon Environmental Council. “By taking initiative now, Oregon has positioned itself as a leader, not a follower, on climate policy and has sent the signal that in the absence of federal action, states will pave the way with meaningful global warming policies.”
Most importantly, the Climate Change Integration Act sets the stage for Oregon to pursue concrete, meaningful action to curb global warming pollution. Among new policies for the state to consider are a carbon cap and trade system and an emissions performance standard for new energy investments made by utilities and other large electricity users.
“HB3543 is the first step in the right direction, but we must keep moving if Oregon is going to maintain its position as a state and regional leader on global warming policy,” said Durbin. “Establishing concrete policies now will ensure that Oregon’s diverse interests are protected in a carbon-constrained economy, as well maintaining the state’s overall competitiveness.”
About the Oregon Environmental Council
The Oregon Environmental Council safeguards what Oregonians love about Oregon - clean air and water, an unpolluted landscape and healthy food produced by local farmers. For nearly 40 years we've been a champion for solutions to protect the health of every Oregonian and the health of the place we call home. Our vision for Oregon includes solving global warming, protecting kids from toxins, cleaning up our rivers, building sustainable economies, and ensuring healthy food and local farms.
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