Oregon lawmakers returned to Salem this week for a preview of the upcoming legislative session. One of the first orders of business, was a three-hour hearing on the Clean Energy Jobs bill. Supporters and detractors alike turned out. Now we need your help showing more people support strong climate action.
Oregon Environmental Council is there every day the legislature meets to ensure there is a voice for the environment and vulnerable communities. I met with legislators and we submitted testimony saying, “We can’t afford business as usual – just ask our ski resorts, our shellfish growers and our friends in Southern Oregon coping with months of wildfire smoke.”
Our partner, Martha Sonato, (Legislative Director with PCUN, Oregon’s farmworker union) testified that climate pollution is making us sick. Low-income and people of color are more likely to suffer the health effects of climate change. Farmworkers, and their children, live in rural Oregon and feel the impacts of climate change first hand.
“Imagine working, covered head to toe to reduce exposure to pesticides, while temperatures grow hotter each year,” she said. “Our communities feel the direct impact of climate change, and they are also exposed to other chemical toxins, that are aggravated by extreme heat.”
As we head into the 2020 Legislative Session beginning Feb. 3, we face continued opposition from fossil fuel and industry interests that want to water down the bill. Take action today to stand up for a healthy future.
Today, Oregon’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule was delayed by two years. Predictably, oil and gas interests orchestrated a multi-state campaign to derail similar policies in other states. Their successful attacks now include Oregon’s ACT rules.
Lawmakers are finalizing the state budget for the next two years. Now is the time to speak up for a strong Climate Justice Budget that protects the environment, uplifts communities, lowers energy bills, and creates clean energy jobs across the state. Use the form below to email your state legislators and urge them to invest in proven programs that deliver for Oregonians.
Sometimes big-impact solutions to the climate crisis can feel beyond our control – other times they’re right within reach, like upgrading our homes and buildings. This Q&A with Brad Reed, Director of Building Resilience, highlights how we can transform our homes and communities into climate-resilient havens. From heat pumps to insulation, Brad explains how basic upgrades can protect our health and our communities, while also saving money on
Oregon just scored a major environmental victory! In a unanimous vote, the Environmental Quality Commission (ECQ) adopted the newly revised Climate Protection Program, reinstating the landmark policy at a time when climate action is critical. This marks the most significant climate action taken in the wake of the federal election. Now, Oregon’s most influential climate policy is back on the bo
As we eagerly await the release of the final rules for Oregon’s Climate Protection Program (CPP), OEC and our partners in the Coalition for Climate and Economic Justice extend a sincere “Thank YOU” to everyone who took the time to submit public comments to help restore this vital program.
Together, we’ve taken critical, local action in the glo
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) just released draft rules to restore Oregon’s cornerstone Climate Protection Program (CPP), kicking off a short public comment period. Help us restore the CPP and hold polluters accountable!
QUICK LINKS TO TAKE ACTION:
-> Send this Letter to DEQ to Restore the C
Dear fellow friends of Oregon,My name is Sam Pape. Nice to meet you! I’m the new Communications and Marketing Coordinator at OEC. I started in an interim role back in February, and was thrilled to recently accept a permanent, full-time position. In other words: I’m here to stay!
Gazing at the downtown skyline of Portland? Rushing through PDX to catch a flight? Lost in the Silicon Forest? You probably aren’t thinking about how to reduce climate emissions. But Oregon’s large office, high-tech and public buildings are one of Oregon’s best opportunities to meet our climate goals by addressing our second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.That’s because the overall “carbon footprint” of
