Policy
Core category for content relating to policy, legislation, etc. and will feed on the policy page.
Something big on climate will happen in 2020
Oregon Environmental Council, through a coalition of organizations, has filed ballot proposals for the 2020 general election that will place our state on a path toward a 100% Clean Economy and 100% Clean Electricity for everyone.
Tomorrow, we formally launch our campaign. Be the first to follow 100% Ready for Clean Air:
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Oregon is ready to transition off fossil fuels and build a 100% clean economy.Oregon must do our part as a leader to protect the natural heritage of clean air and clean water we’re so proud of. Seven of 10 Oregonians continue ...
Transportation Transformation: The Writing Is On The Wall
Greenhouse gas emissions aren’t something you can easily feel or smell or see in your daily life. It’s hard for us to get a sense of what the volume is, and whether it’s going up or down. That’s why it’s so important to track the measurements to see what’s working and what isn’t workingOn September 18, the City of Portland released a report on greenhouse gas emissions in Multnomah County from 1990 to 2017. This report tells us that some things are working, though not quickly enough, and some things are working much worse than others.Here’s the good ...
OEC Supports Nature For All
Oregon Environmental Council is proud to endorse the Nature For All ballot measure, put forward by Oregon Metro. OEC strongly supports maintaining this bond funding to support the critical local investments in our clean water, improved habitat, access to greenspace, and key involvement of communities across the region.In 1992 the region first approved the Metropolitan Greenspaces Master Plan to create a blueprint for how we use our parks, trails, and natural areas. Since then, voters have approved bond measures in 1995 and 2006 to invest in the protection and ...
Wildfire, climate change impacts amplify urgency for bold action
Summertime is when we in the Pacific Northwest are likely to feel climate impacts the most. Every year that we delay action, the costs mount--both at home and abroad. As global temperatures rise, climate instability results in more drought, wildfires, hurricanes and floods at the cost of our global food supplies and natural-resource economies.At home, 2.3 million Oregonians already live in areas of drought, which damages crops, pastures, streams, reservoirs, water wells and more, according to recent data from the National Drought Mitigation Center. Another 1 ...
Climate Disruption
Like many of you, I am still reeling from the end of the 2019 legislative session when eleven senators walked out (for a second time) on the democratic process. We were hours away from passing the Clean Energy Jobs bill—a remarkable piece of legislation that would:put a declining cap on major sources of climate pollution
start charging for the true cost of climate pollution, and
invest critical resources into projects that create good-paying jobs and help communities—including rural areas--throughout Oregon get access to cleaner energy, become more efficient, ...
Out with the old: The Fortunate Demise of Dirty Diesel Engines
Diesel exhaust is uniquely toxic—it causes cancer; harms lungs, hearts and brains; and contributes to Alzheimers, birth anomalies, autism, male infertility, and more. Because of these serious health impacts, OEC has been advocating for diesel clean-up for nearly two decades. Although we’ve had small wins here and there, substantial action is needed to protect human health, and we are thrilled that our state legislature has finally taken a big step forward with House Bill 2007.HB 2007 requires clean-up of old dirty diesel engines in Clackamas, Multnomah and ...
2019 Legislative Wrap Up
Oregon’s 2019 legislative session proved to be the most divisive in recent memory, with a walkout by Senate Republicans preventing a vote on our major priority–Clean Energy Jobs. Despite this setback, Oregon Environmental Council made strides to protect the health of Oregonians and our environment. Here’s a short recap of our progress.
For Us, Climate Action Never Dies
Oregon Environmental Council remains more determined than ever to work on behalf of children and families from all communities in Oregon who face an uncertain climate future.
Oregon Legislature Passes Bill To Curb Toxic Diesel Exhaust
Senate Passes Bill to Protect Oregonians from Diesel PollutionSALEM -- In a 16-to-11 vote in favor of HB 2007, after a 44-to-15 vote in favor by the Oregon House, the Oregon Senate has passed a bill to protect the health of Oregonians from harmful diesel pollution.
. HB 2007 requires the clean-up of old dirty diesel engines in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties, where 44% of the state’s population lives.When diesel is burned, it emits fine particulate matter, NOx (a smog-forming pollutant), and 44 air toxics, such as benzene and acetaldehyde. This ...
Ways and Means members adopt HB 2020, moves forward historic climate action
Thousands of Oregonians, hundreds of businesses and dozens of statewide organizations have waited long enough, and Oregon Environmental Council applauds lawmakers for bringing HB 2020 to a vote in the House and Senate floors.
