Oregon Clean Grid Summit: Q&A With Attendees

Attendees at the 2024 Clean Grid Summit participate in breakout table top conversations abut the future of clean energy infrastructure in Oregon. The words "1st Annual Oregon Clean Grid Summit" across the top of the photo
Oregon is at the precipice of a clean energy revolution. Right now, our state is working to meet its goal of 100% clean energy by 2040. Through this success, Oregon stands to uplift our environment, our communities and our economy. We can eliminate the toxic greenhouse gasses that are causing climate change and harming our health, improve the energy efficiency of our homes and buildings, and decouple our communities from constant rate hikes by fossil fuel utilities. To get there is not without hard work. The solutions to many of our clean-energy barriers are ...

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Speak Up For the Climate Protection Program (CPP)!

oregon mountain cloaked in clouds with pink hue from sunset
Read our newest Climate Protection Program blog. Editor's note: This article was updated on 7/31/2024 to reflect actions by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Last December, the oil and gas industry and their allies delivered a devastating blow to climate justice in our state.  The Oregon Court of Appeals invalidated Oregon’s landmark Climate Protection Program (CPP) based on a procedural technicality. The program was spearheaded (unsurprisingly) by the oil and gas industries most responsible for climate pollution in our state. The CPP represents a ...

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Join Us This Summer at the Transportation Roadshow!

a red car and a white car both going down a highway with a guardrail surrounded by forest with a mountain in the background
State legislators are hosting a 12-stop statewide listening tour this summer on major transportation issues. We need your voice! Our transportation system should be safer, greener, better maintained, and more affordable for all Oregonians. Your testimony during these public hearings will impact how legislators shape the future of our transportation infrastructure! Your participation will also help OEC deliver stronger climate-smart legislation for our state in 2025. Background As things currently stand, Oregon is struggling to raise enough money to fund our transportat...

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2024 Legislative Debrief Video

text reads "2024 legislative debrief -- featured guest: Senator Sollman" thumbnail image is of thomas baker and senator sollman
On May 6, we hosted our 2024 Virtual Legislative Debrief. The conversation featured Oregon Senator Janeen Sollmon. With her insights, we covered a wide range of topics — from last session’s environmental victories (like Right to Repair and Healthy Homes), to big picture conversations about the trajectory of Oregon’s climate future. On the Right to Repair legislation, Senator Sollman spoke in detail on what it took to pass the consumer electronics policy – now the strongest in the nation. She also outlined what the new law does. (Full video below.) “One ...

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Make Your Voice Heard for the Future of Oregon Groundwater!

wetland in the malheur national wildlife refuge with dry grass and clouds in the blue sky
When you think about water in Oregon, you might think about the Rogue River, Pacific Coast or Malheur Lake. However, some of the most important bodies of water in our state aren't visible to the naked eye: they're under our feet. Almost 90% of our state’s public water systems rely at least in part on groundwater ecosystems. Snow and rain collect into aquifers made of underground layers of sand, fractured rocks and other permeable materials, forming the groundwater so crucial to Oregon communities. Right now, big changes are on the horizon for Oregon groundwater. You ...

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2024 Legislative Wrap-Up: 5 Key Environmental Wins

oregon capitol in salem on a spring day with the sun out surrounded by cherry blossom trees
The doors are now closed on this year’s “short,” 35-day legislative session in Oregon. Traditionally, the short session is used to re-balance the budget, tweak existing statutes and wrap-up unfinished business from the long session. However, in recent years the legislature has shifted to taking up one or two major issues, as well. This presents a huge opportunity for advocacy groups like OEC where there are no off years for climate and environmental justice. This session, the Governor and lawmakers made it clear that their primary focus was housing (see SB 1537) ...

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It’s Time for Oregon to Lead in Clean Tech with HB 4112!

close up of solar panels with purple flowers in the foreground
Right now, Oregon has an opportunity to invest in our state’s clean energy future and drive economic prosperity through the Clean Technology Leadership bill (HB 4112).

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2024 Legislative Session

OEC’s legislative advocacy in the 2024 short session will take key bills over the finish line, secure essential funding for environmental programs, and deliver on our promise to stay vigilant for the health of Oregon’s environment and communities. Our advocacy helps ensure healthy air, thriving communities, clean and plentiful water, and climate resiliency. Our policies harness innovation and create new economic opportunities. They are grounded in preventing harm and advancing fairness. YOU CAN GET INVOLVED: Sign up for our Grassroots Action Information Network ...

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Could Oregon be the 5th state to pass a ‘right to repair’ law? Here is how you can help!

Oregon’s Right to Repair (SB 1596) will reduce Oregon’s electronic waste footprint by requiring technology companies to make parts that allow small businesses to repair electronics like smartphones.

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Oregon’s Land Use Bills at 50

Mountain
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Oregon’s Land Use Bills—Senate Bills 100 and 101—landmark laws that transformed the state's landscape and protected its treasured farmland and natural spaces. This milestone offers us an opportunity to reflect on the environmental stewardship that has shaped the state's identity. This anniversary also serves as a call to action for the shared responsibility of safeguarding Oregon's environment for future generations.

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