The Force Awakens at OEC

Today, the 7th installment of the iconic space opera, Star Wars, is being released in theaters worldwide. 

The saga continues as a rebel force driven in pursuit of justice takes on a well-resourced and powerful Galactic Empire. The rebels may have won an epic victory against the archaic ruling system, but the struggle continues. 

It was a long time ago in a galaxy far far away…

But wait—is there a disturbance in the force right here in Oregon? Could the Empire of the oil industry face a real challenge from the noble Jedi Council—er, Oregon Environmental Council? 

In 2015, The Council helped ensure that Oregon’s clean fuels standard will begin delivering cleaner fuel options, jobs, and economic investments in  January 2016.

But oil companies won’t lay down the lightsabers and begin peacefully reducing climate pollution; they’ll fight like the dark Galactic Empire to keep Oregon dependent on out-of-state oil. Unless we insist on change, they’ll keep rolling the armada of star destroyers and TIE fighters—or tankers and rail cars—through our neighborhoods.

We wouldn’t go so far as to say that oil lobbyists are like stormtroopers. But consider this:

We are the Resistance.

We are the peaceful version of a Rebel Alliance, a coalition dedicated to protecting the underrepresented communities who disproportionately experience the effects of a dominating industry who pursues profit with little regard for environmental effects.  

The swamp-like Dagobah system, the high deserts of Jakku and Takodana’s expansive forests have nothing over Oregon. And like Alderaan in A New Hope, our home is being threatened by a power-hungry Empire. 

We use powerpoint projectors far more efficiently than lightsabers, and we (thankfully) don’t have Jar Jar Binks. But we have you.

We can overcome any Empire that threatens us, if we can connect all the Oregonians who are willing to take action. Click here to become a member today – and may the force be with you.

View the OEC Jedi staff slideshow here:

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