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Climate Emergency

Legislative Report - Week of 3/17

Climate Emergency Team

 

Coordinator: Claudia Keith​

  • Efficient and Resilient Buildings: Bill Glassmire

  • Environmental Justice: Nancy Rosenberger

  • Environmental Rights Amendment: Claudia Keith

  • Natural Climate Solution - Forestry: Josie Koehne

  • CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers

  • Community Resilince & Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone 

  • Transportation: Claudia Keith

  • Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking,

  • Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith

  • Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources

Please see Climate Emergency Overview here.

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This week we added a new Environmental Justice bill. HB2548 establishes an agriculture workforce labor standards board,  League Testimony. We are considering joining a coalition that has recently formed to support a number of 2025 bills affecting many agricultural workers and other immigrants. There may be League alerts on this topic later this session. 


For the first time, this year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities,  Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities. OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the capitol. 


Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony.




Climate Priorities with League Testimony


  • HB 2966-3 Establishes the State Public Financing Task Force, Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), Representative Gamba, Senator Golden, Frederick, Representative Andersen, Evans, House Commerce and Consumer Protection (H CCP)
League Testimony



  • HB 3170, Community Resilience Hubs and networks: Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan.
 League testimony


  • The following four bills are part of a Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package which was the subject of public hearings February 27 and March 6 in the House Energy Management, General Government, and Veterans Committee: HB 2151: Testimony; 2152: Testimony;  2949:  Testimony;  3450: Testimony, See also  CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis , HB  3450 CEI energy storage transition plan, HEMGGV, League Comments


  • HB 3477: Update to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals. League testimony . House Climate, Energy, and Environment (CEE), Sponsored by Rep GAMBA, Sen Frederick, Golden, Patterson, Pham K, Taylor


  • Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package

  • HB 3081  (League testimony) creates an active navigator to help access energy efficiency incentives all in one place. SB 88 (League testimony)  limits the ability of utility companies to charge ratepayers for lobbying, litigation costs, fines, marketing, industry fees, and political spending. In addition to our testimony, LWVOR has signed on to letter support each of these bills.  The Public Hearing was March 4th.


Natural and Working Lands



Other Priorities 



Advanced Clean Truck Rules


Oregon's complex and controversial Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rules, aimed at phasing in electric trucks to replace heavily polluting diesel trucks, are the focus of both ongoing legislation and administrative rulemaking. Even as DEQ works toward Environmental Quality Commission approval of a permanent rule delaying implementation of the current rules (adopted several years ago) by a year, HB 3119, (bipartisan) seeks to delay implementation by an additional year. The trucking industry flooded a Jan. 30 hearing with supporting testimony and has mounted a high-pressure campaign to do away with the rules entirely. Environmental advocates are pushing back against any further delays, citing the threats to public health (particularly affecting Environmental Justice communities) and to Oregon's greenhouse gas emission targets. More than 500 written testimonies are posted on OLIS. Meanwhile, Gov. Kotek has intervened in the DEQ rulemaking, urging the agency to quickly develop a solution to the compliance challenges facing Class 7 and 8 trucks, the heaviest class, while maintaining the integrity of the ACT program for other classes. This could be accomplished through additional credit allocations for Class 7 and 8 trucks or through similar mechanisms. DEQ's Rulemaking Advisory Committee has met twice and will meet again next week to consider proposed solutions. 


Legislative Environmental Bipartisan Caucus  


A trio of pro-nuclear bills were heard in Senate E&E on 3/5 and 3/10. SB 215 would repeal the requirement that there be a licensed repository for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste before a site certificate for a nuclear power plant may be issued in Oregon. If the bill is enacted, the repeal would have to be submitted to a statewide referendum at the next regular general election. SB 216 would repeal the above requirement by legislation alone. Amendments to these bills would limit their application to small modular reactors. SB 635 would direct Oregon State University to conduct a feasibility study on nuclear energy generation in Oregon, addressing advantages and disadvantages, maximizing jobs for Oregonians, and technical issues. 


House CE&E heard HB 3107 on 3/13, aimed at expediting DEQ permit proceedings by modifying the agency’s authority to engage in certain agreements with regulated entities. It would entitle a permit applicant or holder or a regulated entity to enter into an agreement with DEQ for the agency to hire additional staff or to contract with a qualified third party to expedite a permit proceeding, unless DEQ finds that it has sufficient resources or staff to complete the proceeding within six months, or that the agreement is not in the public interest. 


Some other bills coming up next week: 


  • House CE&E has scheduled a work session on HB 2332 for 3/18. It would prohibit DEQ from requiring a Title V operating permit for air curtain incinerators that burn only wood waste, clean lumber, or yard debris, unless otherwise mandated by EPA. As EPA has eliminated this requirement for a permit, this bill would align DEQ with federal policy.

  • House CE&E public hearing on HB 2067, 3/18. This bill would direct ODOE to establish a rebate program for small landscaping contractors to buy battery-powered leaf blowers.  

  •  House CE&E work session on HB 2566, 3/20. It would add stand-alone energy resilience projects to the categories of projects eligible for a grant under ODOE's Community Renewable Energy Grant program. 

  •  Senate E&E public hearing on SB 634, 3/17. It would specify that an electric utility may use hydroelectricity to comply with a Renewable Portfolio Standard under PUC regulation.


What We're Reading This Week


Wildlife and Natural Resources


Butterfly numbers have fallen by nearly a quarter since 2000 - OPB

Competing proposals aim to keep neonics away from consumers - Capital Press

Southern Oregon nonprofits grapple with loss of millions for wildfire mitigation- Bend Bulletin

Trump's timber directives could sway Oregon forest policy, but market effects remain unclear - OPB


Utilities and the Grid


'Get the Junk out of our Rates' bill could limit how Oregon utilities pay for lobbying, ads - OPB

In light of the conversations around large power users and increased electricity demand in the region, this article (Utilities may subsidize data center growth by shifting costs to other ratepayers: Harvard Law paper), published this morning in Utility Dive, was especially timely. The Power Act (HB 3546) aims to address this issue.

Bonneville opts to join SPP's Markets+ day-ahead market over CAISO alternative - Utility Dive 


Transportation


ODOT intends to buy portion of Hayden Island to offset impacts of I-5 bridge replacement - KOIN 6

Southwest Washington cities spar over light rail funding for I-5 bridge replacement - OPB

The Oregon Legislature’s Environmental Caucus is composed of members who believe that our state requires bold environmental action and are dedicated to furthering policy that benefits the natural resources, wildlife, economy, and communities of Oregon. Current Bipartisan Members: 


Transportation Priorities


Transportation package that prioritizes climate, equity, and wildlife


According to OCN Press Release: “This package would build on the historic gains of HB 2017 (which included investments in public transit, safe routes to school, and vehicle electrification), to shift the focus to multimodal, safety, and climate-forward investments. This promises to create a system that saves money over time and builds a more resilient, equitable, and healthy future for all Oregonians.”


The Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) Coalition

By Josie Joehne


NCS coalition has been testifying in support of HB 5039, the OWEB $5 million budget request bill for the Natural Working Lands Fund. Read the LWVOR testimony here. We are also participating with the Washington County group that is developing a guidebook defining Climate Smart Forestry practices and natural climate solutions in support of ODF's Climate Change and Carbon Plan (CCCP). The Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District is under contract with ODF to develop the guide for experienced Washington County woodland managers and forestry professionals to help them advise local forest owners and land managers about best practices for the changing climate. It will provide information on how to reduce climate impacts through forest management, and will include latest information on climate, forest research, and case studies. 


Jordan Cove and Fracking Update


3/11 News: Arizona man stumbles upon Jordan Cove LNG project, seeks to revive it | KLCC, “Kekkonen is asking FERC to waive the approximately $40,000 filing fee for the motion, stating he can’t afford to pay it. He’s also seeking a $1.25 billion loan guarantee from the U.S. Maritime Administration for his LNG tanker endeavors.”


The League continues to be concerned about Fracking issues. The fracking moratorium in Oregon, expired on January 2, 2025. [1, 2] 

Here's a more detailed explanation: [1, 2, 3] 


Moratorium End Date: The temporary ban on fracking for oil and gas production and exploration in Oregon, established by House Bill 2623, was set to end on January 2, 2025. [1, 2, 3] 



Governor's Signature: Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed the   legislation on June 17, 2019. [1] 



Legislative Action: The Oregon Senate passed the bill on May 29, 2019, with a 17-11 vote. [3, 4] 



Exemptions: The bill included exemptions for natural gas storage wells, geothermal activities, and existing coalbed methane extraction wells. [3] 


Current Status: The moratorium has expired, and fracking is no longer prohibited in Oregon. [1, 2] 



[1]https://aglaw.psu.edu/shale-law-in-the-spotlight/oregon-and-washington-enact-hydraulic-fracturing-bans/


[2]https://climate-xchange.org/2024/08/policy-explainer-drilling-down-on-state-efforts-to-ban-fracking/


[3]https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/senatedemocrats/Documents/HB2623Fracking.pdf


[4]https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2019/05/29/oregon-senate-passes-5-year-fracking-moratorium/1271400001/


Nuclear Energy Waste Tech


The Climate Fix: Nuclear Waste Finds Its Forever Home | NYT


“Finland may soon become the first country to develop a permanent way to store spent nuclear fuel by burying it in tunnels deep underground.”

CBS News 3/7/25


Supreme Court steps into debate over where to store nuclear waste


“Washington — The Supreme Court on Wednesday jumped into the decades-long dispute over what to do with thousands of metric tons of nuclear waste, as it considered a plan to store it above one of the world's most productive oil fields, the Permian Basin in Texas.”


Oregon Public Broadcasting – OPB 3/7/25


Umatilla County wants to expand nuclear energy in Eastern Oregon. Tribes are pushing back


“Oregon lawmakers are considering softening a 45-year-old statewide ban to allow nuclear power in Umatilla County. The legislation has the backing of the county government, while tribal leaders are opposed.”


Utility Dive 3/10/25


Utilities may subsidize data center growth by shifting costs to other ratepayers: Harvard Law paper


“The public faces significant risks that utilities will … profit from new data centers by making major investments and. then shifting costs to their captive ratepayers, the report’s authors said...”


Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns


In order to stay on track, the Legislature must prioritize investments for vital climate and community protection programs. Without additional appropriations this session, the following existing successful programs may run out of funding: 


Community Renewable Energy Grant Program (ODOE)


Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE)


Community Heat Pump Program (ODOE)


Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program/Charge Ahead (DEQ)


Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Rebates + Infrastructure Grants (DEQ)


Community Resilience Hubs and Networks (ODHS)


Climate Change Worker Relief Fund (DAS)


Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program (ODOE)


Natural & Working Lands Fund (OWEB) (excerpt from OCEN network message)





Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance, Natural Resources, and Social Policy report sections.


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