First, let’s be clear: Oregon Environmental Council supports the right of all Oregonians to live fulfilling lives and feel safe to participate in their communities. We support rights for immigrants in our state.
We believe that immigrants in Oregon bring the social, cultural and economic diversity necessary for Oregon to thrive and build lasting environmental solutions. That’s why we reject the latest anti-immigrant initiative— Initiative Petition 22—and encourage our members and partners to do the same.
The initiative is the first step in pursuing a ballot measure (IP 22) that would repeal a 30-year old law in our state. Today, state and local law enforcement dollars are not to be used to enforce federal immigration law. If the law is repealed, neighborhood police and community safety dollars could be re-directed to federal immigration enforcement.
Oregon Environmental Council is built on the premise that, when we bring Oregonians together, we can solve environmental problems. When Oregonians fear law enforcement and find it risky to participate in our communities, we lose strength.
Here’s another reason that rejecting IP 22 is the responsibility of the environmental community:
The initiative has earned the thousand signatures necessary to move to the next step of the ballot approval process due to the efforts of Oregonians for Immigration Reform, an organization with deep social and financial ties to white nationalist groups. The group is part of a national trend that tries to pin environmental problems on immigration.
By fanning the flames of fear around water scarcity and climate change, the anti-immigrant movement attempts to advance a wide range of laws and measures restricting the rights of immigrants—yet the movement does not support proven environmental solutions and protections.
Oregon Environmental Council, as part of One Oregon, pledges to defend Oregon’s values and keep Oregon a welcoming state.
On September 29, 2023, OEC gathered with a growing coalition of community-based organizations, lawmakers, and business groups following oral arguments heard by the Oregon Court of Appeals to rally behind the Oregon Climate Protection Program (CPP), which is under attack from the fossil fuel industry.OREGON’S CLIMATE PROTECTION PROGRAM
Oregon’s Climate Protection Program (CPP) is a cornerstone in our st
For Immediate Release
September 7, 2022
Salem, OR – A coalition of environmental justice, climate, and business organizations today filed a legal intervention
In some ways it’s hard to believe, but in another sense it’s totally expected: big oil will stop at nothing to protect their self-interests, and that’s why they’re attacking our right to choose clean fuels and reduce pollution in Oregon. In a cynical political move, the oil industry just proposed three initiatives to repeal the state’s hard-won Clean Fuels Program. We can’t let this happen. The Oregon Clean Fuels Program is the
The transition to electric vehicles – which dramatically cut air and climate pollution – is clearly underway. Global and national automakers are planning to phase out gas and diesel engines, spurred by national and state mandates to convert all new car sales to 100% electric as soon as 2035. The federal government and private sector companies are making huge investments in a national EV charging network.
To ensure small local businesses and the neighborhoods they serve also benefit fro
Everyone deserves the right to safe, accessible, climate-friendly transportation options. And everyone deserves to arrive at their destination safely, regardless of their transportation choice. Yet the need for investments in transportation safety could not be more urgent as this year’s back-to-school season is met with a 40-year peak in pedestrian deaths, nationwide.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2023Media Contact:
Patty Wentz, patty@wentzjackson.com
503-970-7929
As Oregon experiences record breaking heat driven by climate change, it is important to note the one-year anniversary of the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which will invest at least $370 billion–and potentially upwards of $1 trillion–nationwide to a
At the end of the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session, OEC is proud to have secured several major policy victories that will benefit Oregonians and our shared environment. Thanks to our coalition partners, supporters, and legislative champions, the Oregon legislature delivered critical action to reduce climate and air pollution, support healthy, affordable, resilient communities, and leverage once-in-a-lifetime federal funding for clean energy and clean water infrastructure.
Healthy
Oregon’s 2023 Legislative Session ended with a momentous victory in the fight against climate change with the passage of the bipartisan Climate Resilience Package (HB 3409 & HB 3630). With over $90 million in funding and strategic leveraging of federal investments, this victory represents significant progress in our relentless pursuit of a climate-resilient future for Oregon.
First, let’s be clear: Oregon Environmental Council supports the right of all Oregonians to live fulfilling lives and feel safe to participate in their communities. We support rights for immigrants in our state.
Here’s another reason that rejecting IP 22 is the responsibility of the environmental community:
