2024 Legislative Session
OEC’s legislative advocacy this short session focused on 11 priority bills. Together we successfully passed five!
Our work removed literal tons of toxins – like lead and mercury – from landfills, and helped create a roadmap for offshore wind. We also improved the power grid, amped-up energy storage, and secured funds to better weatherize homes.
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OEC 2024 Legislative Wins:
✔ Right to Repair (SB 1596) significantly reduces the state’s e-waste. Now, cell phone and appliance companies will be required to provide parts to consumers to repair their devices. The law will save Oregon families roughly $382 a year. It will also remove 3 tons of annual e-waste – like lead, mercury and cadmium – from landfills. The policy will help bridge the digital divide by allowing costly devices to be repaired. It also supports local economies with new opportunities for small businesses and STEM jobs. With its passage, Oregon becomes the fifth state to enact this type of landmark legislation.
✔ “Healthy Homes” ($15 million allocation) went from ‘not on the radar’ to ‘fully funded’ – because of the hard work of so many advocates. Funds will help low-income Oregonians pay for upgrades to remove toxic materials like asbestos and lead from their homes. These improvements will also lower home energy bills. The new law helps Oregonians improve indoor air quality and will increase their resilience to extreme weather. Because of the high need for these types of repairs, the program is expected to run out of money quickly. Additional funds will be necessary to keep the program open to qualifying residents.
✔ “Offshore Wind” (HB 4080) creates a “roadmap” that could power nearly a quarter of all homes in Oregon. The law requires stronger engagement by utilities with area tribes and communities in planning offshore wind projects. Oregon is stepping up to engage tribal governments on a level that is currently unsupported by the federal government. This approach will allow the state to responsibly harness wind energy as a valuable, renewable resource. It also creates opportunities for genuine, respectful community partnerships with indigenous communities.
✔ “Regional Transmission Organization Update” (SB 1581) addresses two of Oregon’s biggest clean-energy barriers: electricity transmission and market growth. The new legislation now requires utilities to work with residents and state officials. As the state moves to a clean-energy grid, the bill helps track progress, and ensures transparent decision-making. Utilities will have to keep state leadership informed at various points in the planning phase. In essence, bringing more oversight and authority to Oregon communities.
✔ “Energy Storage Sitting” (HB 4015) amps up the resilience of our statewide power grid. The new law will increase construction of energy storage systems in Oregon by streamlining the permit process. In turn, the state will strengthen the reliability and capacity of our power grid. This legislation also creates a more localized approach to supplying electricity to Oregonians. Ultimately, reducing costs for residents.
“Clean Tech Incentive” (HB 4112) did not pass, but still represented a win for environmental groups in Salem. We built a powerful coalition, moved the narrative forward and positioned ourselves for a successful run in 2025. The legislation would have allowed the state to secure nearly $786 million in federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. These funds would have been used to support local manufacturing of clean-energy technologies. Although it was not adopted, the bill created strong partnerships normally unheard of in state politics. OEC built an impressive coalition, which helped the bill pass out of committee with bipartisan support. We partnered with academics, environmental justice groups, business leaders, union representatives, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers. With this momentum, we are poised for success in 2025.
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.
Additional 2024 Legislative Priorities:
CLIMATE
- Clean Technology Leadership (HB 4112)
It’s time for Oregon to lead in the clean tech economy. Right now, companies across the world are seeking to harness federal Inflation Reduction Act incentives to expand or establish their clean technology businesses and manufacturing facilities across the United States. HB 4112 seeks to drive as much of this economic growth, job creation, and prosperity to Oregon communities as possible by creating a $20 million grant program to attract, expand and sustain in-state manufacturing of clean energy technologies, like heat pumps, solar panels, or electric vehicle infrastructure.
- Climate Target Modernization (SB 1559)
Despite broad scientific consensus urging immediate climate emissions reductions–and devastating climate impacts affecting the lives and livelihoods of Oregonians across the state–Oregon has not updated its statewide goals for reducing climate pollution in 15 years. SB 1559 will remedy that by modernizing our state climate targets to align with best available science, the U.S. federal government, and our neighbors Washington and California. By updating Oregon’s climate pollution reduction targets, SB 1559 will help demonstrate Oregon’s commitment to climate action throughout state operations.
- Climate Budget
One of the most meaningful opportunities for climate action in the 2024 short session will come through a strong Climate Budget, including funding for popular existing programs that can drive down costs for Oregonians and increase access to the clean energy economy. In 2024, we are calling on the legislature to ensure that the following programs are adequately funded to stay on track to deliver their intended climate, health, and cost-saving benefits:
- Charge Ahead EV Rebates: $20 million
Electrifying vehicles is a top priority to reduce climate pollution from our biggest source: the transportation sector. Increasing equitable access to electric vehicles, which save drivers thousands of dollars on fuel and maintenance costs compared to gas-powered cars, can improve household budgets and reduce climate and air pollution. The Charge Ahead Rebate program, run by the Department of Environmental Quality, offers low-and moderate-income Oregonians an additional $5,000 cash rebate for the purchase of a new or used EV. However, due to unprecedented demand, the Charge Ahead rebate program will not be able to stay open for more than two months in 2024. Ensuring the Charge Ahead Rebate program has funding to continue through this year will help provide equitable access to EVs.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
- Climate Change Fund for Farm Workers (Worker Relief)
Oregonians shouldn’t lose pay when they have to miss work due to environmental hazards such as heat and smoke. We’re asking the Oregon legislature to restore ongoing funding for a worker relief fund that will provide direct financial support for immigrant farmworkers who have lost work and pay due to environmental hazards and COVID and who don’t otherwise qualify for other unemployment programs. This is a continuation of a one-time $10 million fund created in 2021 as part of the drought package that has since been spent out. With extreme heat and smoke on the rise, the fund is still needed.
WATER & RURAL PRIORITIES
- Biosolids (HB 4049)
Oregon must take a system-wide and science-first approach to establish safe standards for PFAS in the agricultural use of wastewater biosolids as fertilizer. Oregon’s Biosolids Bill (HB 4049) will fund OSU researchers to conduct pilot studies about how PFAS in biosolids behave when applied to land. Levels of PFAS in Oregon wastewater biosolids are currently very low compared to other states. While biosolids are regulated to meet standards that protect public health and the environment, the EPA and DEQ have not yet established water quality standards for PFAS in biosolids. This study will deliver the information needed for Oregon leaders, municipal wastewater utilities, and farmers to make sound decisions about the future of these practices.
