Policy Work
2017
(1) Senate Bill 557 / House Bill 2135: Healthy Climate Act of 2017
Click here to see full bill. The following summary is pulled from HB 2135-A:
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
Repeals greenhouse gas emissions goals and requires Environmental Quality Commission to adopt by rule statewide greenhouse gas emissions goal for 2025, and limits for years 2035 and 2050.
Requires Environmental Quality Commission to adopt carbon pollution market by rule. Requires commission to consult with certain interested persons and be advised by advisory committee in adopting rules.
Establishes Greenhouse Gas Cap and Investment Program Oversight Committee. Provides for minimum requirements of carbon pollution market. Declares legislative purposes of carbon pollution market.
Establishes Climate Investments Account within State Highway Fund. Requires that certain auction proceeds be deposited in account for purpose of funding programs consistent with legislative purposes of carbon pollution market.
Establishes Oregon Climate Investments Fund. Requires that certain auction proceeds be de- posited in fund, to be distributed through Climate Investments Grant Program adopted by Environmental Quality Commission by rule.
Creates Climate Investments in Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Committee. Requires committee to advise on distributions of certain auction proceeds.
Establishes Just Transition Fund. Requires that certain auction proceeds be deposited in fund, to be distributed through Just Transition Grant Program adopted by Oregon Business Development Department by rule.
Makes all provisions related to carbon pollution market and distribution of auction proceeds operative January 1, 2021. Authorizes Environmental Quality Commission, Public Utility Commission, Department of Transportation and Oregon Business Development Department to adopt rules prior to operative date.
Requires registration and reporting by certain sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Becomes operative January 1, 2021.
Changes name of Oregon Global Warming Commission to Oregon Commission on Climate Change. Becomes operative January 1, 2018.
(2) House Bill 2737: Small House Bill
Click here to see full bill. The following summary is pulled from HB 2737-B:
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
Requires Director of Department of Consumer and Business Services to adopt construction standards for homes that have floor area of not more than 600 square feet. Identifies certain matters for inclusion in standards. Requires that initial construction standards for small homes become effective by January 1, 2018. Requires director to report to committee of Legislative Assembly no later than March 1, 2019, regarding implementation and use of construction standards for small homes. Allows inclusion of director’s recommendations regarding small home construction standards in report.
Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.
2016
Senate Bill 1574: Healthy Climate Act
Why is Senate Bill 1574 necessary? Oregon is not meeting its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions because the existing 2007 law was a goal without effective implementation. That law intended Oregon to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to be 10% below 1990 emission levels by 2020 and at least 75% below 1990 levels by 2050. Those goals were based on recommendation by the International Panel on Climate Change, comprising 3000+ qualified climate scientists. Without controlling greenhouse gas emissions, the scientific consensus predicts catastrophic worldwide consequences. While early signs are observed, the big risk is reaching climate tipping points causing intense global temperature rise. SB1574 defines a comprehensive strategy.
Below is a collection of documents that explain how the Healthy Climate Act would work.
1. Health Climate Act Text
Healthy.Climate.Act_SB1574_Text.pdf
2. Summary by Kristin Eberhard, Senior Researcher, Sightline Institute, December 2015
Summary.OR.Healthy.Climate.Bill_Sightline.Institute_12.16.15.pdf
3. Climate Stability and Justice Act of Oregon (SB 1574) Questions and Answers (last edit: PI-2.1.2016; blue text links to evidence; request electronic version at info@policyinteractive.org)
SB_1574_How.it.works.Q&A_2.1.16.pdf
4. Three Different Sources of Oregon Opinion on Climate Change (Surveys, 2013 -2015)
Oregon.Climate.Policy.Opinion.Summary_1.pager_8.19.15.pdf
5. Oregon Studies Economic Impacts of California AB32 Cap and Invest Policy Lessons, 1.29.16
Why should Oregon look at California’s Cap and Trade Climate Stability Act? Because some business entities are claiming that SB1574, modeled after California’s AB32, will negatively affect Oregon’s job and economic picture. When California passed AB32 into law, major business interests similarly objected, claiming it would destroy the California’s economy. Even before AB32 was brought into implementation the California Chamber of Commerce paid to collect signatures to repeal AB32; that initiative was rejected by California citizens by a 24% margin, allowing AB32 to be implemented. Contemporary results show the naysayers were wrong.
Oregon.studies.California.AB32.on.Jobs&Economy_1.29.16_v2.pdf
6. How much would the HCA cost Oregonians? Tom Bowerman, PolicyInteractive Research, 1.29.16 v6
How much would the HCA cost Oregonians? This question was asked by Oregon Senator Olsen in a 1/14/16 legislative hearing. The question is important although it as more than one answer depending on how “cost” is computed. “Cost” is often defined differently, such as: initial cost, net cost, and cost-benefit. When risk factors are accounted, there may also be a cost of failure to act.
How.much.would.the.HCA.cost.Oregonians.v6.pdf
7. Common Objections and Responses to Oregon Healthy Climate Act 2016, PolicyInteractive Research, 1.29.16
Arguments.against.the.Act.and.Answers_1.29.16.pdf
2015
Click on any of the six hyperlinks below to connect with information about House Bill 3470-B.
1. One-page description of House Bill 3470-B
2. Direct link to House Bill 3470-B
3. HB 3470-B: How it works Q & A 8.18.15
4. Oregon Climate Policy Opinion Summary one-pager 8.19.15
5. Oregon studies California’s AB 32 Jobs and Economy
6. Case study against revenue-neutral emissions tax
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the measure as introduced.
Requires Environmental Quality Commission to adopt by rule statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits for years 2020 and 2050 and to adopt interim statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits consistent with 2050 limit every five years.
Requires commission to adopt action plan for ensuring statewide greenhouse gas emissions do not exceed limits adopted by commission.
Requires commission to adopt program to ensure statewide greenhouse gas emissions do not exceed limits adopted by commission.
Requires Department of Environmental Quality to administer program. Authorizes department to require registration and reporting by certain sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
Establishes required timeline for adopting rules under provisions of Act.
Repeals provisions relating to greenhouse gas emissions goals. Makes repeal operative January 1, 2017.