BREAKING: New CPP Lawsuit Draws Broad Pushback from Statewide Community, Business, Climate and Conservation Groups
On April 16, 2026, a new lawsuit led by Oregon Business & Industry was brought forward challenging the state’s authority to implement Oregon’s landmark Climate Protection Program.
OEC and our coalition partners stand in firm opposition of this latest attack, and in full support of the CPP. This critical program was designed (with careful legal oversight, and input from the business community) to benefit Oregon communities most affected by the mounting impacts of climate change. This is the latest example of the fossil fuel industry following the familiar playbook of harnessing disinformation to put profit over people in Oregon.
Read our press release below, and be sure to sign up for our Grassroots Action mailing list for updates, and opportunities to make your voice heard as this story develops.
Lawsuit filed against Climate Protection Program draws broad pushback from community, business, climate, and conservation groups.
SALEM, OR (April 16, 2026) — Following the disinformation playbook we’ve seen before, fossil fuel companies and big polluters have filed a lawsuit to repeal Oregon’s landmark Climate Protection Program (CPP). A large coalition of business, health, and environmental groups across the state stand against the lawsuit and in full support of this essential program.
The lawsuit, filed on April 16, 2026, argues that the state of Oregon lacks the legal authority to enforce the CPP. However, the program follows established, proven best practices for similar programs. After multiple failed lawsuits to shut it down in 2023, the Climate Protection Program was rewritten with tight legal oversight from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), incorporating recommendations from the business community and public participation from over 10,000 Oregonians before being unanimously reinstated.
“This is yet another example of big corporations refusing to follow the rules,” said Lindsey Scholten, Executive Director at the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. “Instead, these corporations want to continue polluting freely and padding their profits — at the expense of the health and prosperity of everyday Oregonians.”
By setting emissions standards, not imposing direct costs on businesses, the program allows businesses flexibility on how to reach the targets, encouraging innovation and growth.
“The Climate Protection Program builds in flexibility and trading to spur innovation while saving money,” said Tim Miller, Director of Oregon Business for Climate. “The new CPP offers even more flexibility for energy-intensive businesses. A simplistic look at prices in other states has businesses rattled, but the CPP is actually less expensive or on par with programs in other states. The CPP creates a clear, long-term planning horizon, grows clean energy jobs in Oregon, and focuses all the resulting investments on climate action where it’s needed most.”
Oregon just experienced the warmest winter on record and the lowest snowpack, conditions that set the stage for a dangerous year ahead. Wildfire risk is already climbing, drought emergencies are being declared, and extreme weather events continue to accelerate. Communities across the state are feeling the impacts of climate change first‑hand. The Climate Protection Program directs investments toward programs designed to support these communities.
These impacts affect all Oregonians, but they fall most heavily on BIPOC, the elderly, agricultural workers, and those struggling to meet the rising costs of living. The CPP is designed specifically for these communities.
“Saving lives is at the heart of the Climate Protection Program, supporting community investments in efficiency, renewable energy, and climate-resilient infrastructure to create local jobs and workforce training opportunities,” said Joel Iboa, Founding Executive Director of Oregon Just Transition Alliance. “These investments are intended to help those most impacted by climate harms, including low-income, people of color, and rural households. It is shameful that such community benefits are considered unaffordable.”
The Climate Protection Program also opens the door for greater savings down the line. By funding Community Climate Investments, the program encourages new clean energy projects and energy efficiency upgrades. With skyrocketing energy costs affecting communities across the state, these types of investments are more critical than ever.
With federal climate regulations changing, state‑level programs like the Climate Protection Program play an increasingly important role in meeting emissions‑reduction goals.
“OBI doesn’t represent the voices and priorities of the people of Oregon when it comes to the Climate Protection Program. Over 10,000 Oregonians have voiced their support of this program throughout its lifespan, from all corners of the state. By seeking to repeal the program, OBI is acting in blatant disregard to Oregonians’ broad desire for greater climate action and accountability,” said Jana Gastellum, Executive Director of Oregon Environmental Council.
“The oil and gas industry may get to write their own rules in DC, but that’s not going to fly here in Oregon. We should all be furious seeing yet another cynical attempt by NW Natural and other fossil fuel corporations to block climate progress through a baseless lawsuit while progress is being undermined nationally,” said Meredith Connolly, Climate Solutions Director of Policy and Strategy. “This is particularly egregious now when so many people are struggling to afford their utility bills, and we’re staring down another historic wildfire season.”
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