

Clean Energy Jobs - HB 2020
Under this proposal, entities emitting 25,000+ metric tons of greenhouse
gases per year must purchase permits for every ton emitted. A cap on
emissions comes down regularly over time to ensure emissions are
reduced. The program includes incentives to cut emissions with the
flexibility to do it at least cost. Proceeds will be reinvested in clean energy
solutions to lower emissions and protect against climate change. Funds will
be invested in rural communities for projects like wildfire prevention,
drought protection and clean energy. Equity and a just transition to clean
energy are central to the policy.

Ditching Dirty Diesel - HB 2007
Oregon will adopt emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks,
and require certain vehicles to have a 2010 model year or newer engine by
2029. Priority goes to projects that benefit sensitive populations or areas
with elevated levels of diesel particulate matter; have support from the
community; are carried out by disadvantaged business enterprises; involve
small fleets; utilize clean fuels; maximize cost effectiveness of emissions
reductions; and do not reward clean up that would otherwise occur without
supplemental funding. Agricultural and training vehicles will not be required
to meet the standards. The bill also requires clean diesel vehicles in public
improvement projects and allows local governments to adopt anti-idling
regulations for commercial vehicles, repealing the current state preemption.

Oil Train Safety - HB 2604, HB 2209, HB 2598, & SB 99
The 2016 explosion in Mosier made the dangers of oil trains astoundingly
clear. Every day, more and more oil trains make their way along the
Columbia River and to the coast for exportation overseas. More oil trains
means a higher risk of a spill or explosion, and, when that oil reaches its
destination, it contributes heavily to climate change. Yet, Oregon still has
the weakest oil-by-rail laws of the entire west coast. This bill would help
railside communities by regulating and improving emergency response to
future oil train spills/explosions. And, it would hold oil transporters
accountable for making their trains as safe as possible.

Soil and Water Protection - SB 853 & HB 3058
Neonicotinoids are a particularly potent family of pesticides whose use
is detrimental to bees and other pollinators. In 2018, the European
Union banned neonicotinoids in order to prevent bee populations from
collapsing. Here in Oregon, we hope to limit and regulate their use. If
this bill passes, it will take neonicotinoids off regular market shelves and
require industrial buyers to pay a fee, get a license, and take a class on
safe pesticide usage before buying. The bill would also include a ban
on another pesticide, Chlorpyrifos, which is extremely dangerous to the
farmworkers who are exposed to it. Chlorpyrifos has already been
banned in Hawaii, and we hope to follow their lead.

Climate, Conservation, & Clean Energy Agency Budgets
Funding our state’s conservation, climate, and clean energy agencies is
always one of our top priorities, but this year it’s especially important.
Under Trump’s leadership, even the most fundamental environmental
and human health protections will likely not be funded. It’s up to
Oregon’s state government to get things done. Our focuses include:
ensuring that our Department of Forestry can handle a potentially grave
wildfire season; securing a sustainable water future for Oregon by
recovering imperiled salmon and ensuring the health of Oregon’s rivers;
and reducing the Department of Environmental Quality’s backlog of air
and water quality permit applications.