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.
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
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.
Oregon has taken resolute action in protecting workers from dangerous conditions caused by the worsening climate crisis. On June 7, 2023, Governor Tina Kotek signed into law Senate Bill 907, the Right to Refuse Dangerous Work. This law builds a past victory for worker safety achieved by the OEC and coalition partners in implementing permanent heat and smoke rules, fortifying our state’s commitment to shielding workers from the dangers of an increasingly volatile cl
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2023
Media Contact
Kat Driessen, kat@empirical.media
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Health Authority today released a comprehensive report on the public health impacts of climate change in Oregon. The “2021-2022 Climate and Health in Oregon Rep
Oregon’s farms, forests, urban parks, wetlands, and other natural lands shape our state’s landscape and economy and are an essential source of life-sustaining resources. OEC is part of a coalition working to protect these lands from climate extremes and harness their potential as a climate solution.
A few years ago, the prospect of Oregon taking meaningful action on climate was dim. Republicans had just fled the capital to prevent the elected majority of state leaders from moving forward with a vote (a tactic now widely condemned by Oregon voters via Measure 113), effectively
The 2023 legislative session presents a vital opportunity to make progress in achieving our climate goals and protect families and communities from ever-worsening climate impacts. OEC is excited to support a “Building Resilience” policy package this session that will cut pollution and increase the climate resilience of our homes and buildings
Industry plaintiffs brought two claims against rules to protect workers in Oregon from the harmful and dangerous impacts of exposure to heat and smoke. Both suits were dismissed “with prejudice” which means they were dismissed permanently and cannot be brought to Court again.
On December 20, 2022, the U.S. District Court in Medford dismissed
Oregon just took a huge step toward reducing climate and air pollution from our top emitting sector. The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) today adopted an expanded Clean Fuels Program, more than tripling our existing standard to make it the strongest in the nation. See our joint press release here.
For Immediate Release
September 7, 2022
Salem, OR – A coalition of environmental justice, climate, and business organizations today filed a legal intervention
