Historical Advocacy

2014 to Now

A Little History:

Oregon’s Greenhouse Gas Progress –

Addressing greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon dates back at least as far as 2007 when House Bill 3543 was signed into law by Governor Kulongoski. This bill established purely voluntary GHG emissions reduction goals as follows:

By 2010, arrest the growth of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions and begin to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
By 2020, achieve greenhouse gas levels that are 10% below 1990 levels.
By 2050, achieve greenhouse gas levels that are at least 75% below 1990 levels.
Established Oregon Global Warming Coalition (OGWC – supporting achievement of the goals) & Oregon Climate Change Research Institute (OCCRI – housed at OSU to conduct Climate Research in the PNW).
Authorized OGWC to examine cap and trade.

These goals can be seen in Oregon Statute 468A.205

Unfortunately, as the Oregon Global Warming Commission has repeatedly reported (2015 and 2017), in its biennial summaries, the state is not on a trajectory to achieve these goals. That voluntary measures simply do not work is hardly surprising since economic motives demand that industry take the most cost effective route with its pollution by-products and pump them into our air or water (as the case may be) to avoid the cost of cleaning up their waste. Externalizing these costs, as it is called, is a reasonable economic decision when this is allowed by law. But the electorate does not have to allow this to continue.

In 2013, a bill was passed that resulted in a study undertaken by the Northwest Economic Research Center at Portland State University of the impact of taxing emissions. This report indicated that a $60 per ton fee on GHG emissions, combined with the voluntary measures promoted by OGWC would not achieve the stipulated (HB3543 2007) reduction goals. Additionally, that report modeled the impact of GHG fees up to $150 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, and concluded that even a fee of that magnitude would not achieve those (HB3543 2007) goals. The message is that voluntary measures, even combined with a huge emissions fee, are unlikely to achieve the 2007 goals.

An additional problem associated with a GHG emissions fee is that any bill introduced into the Oregon Legislature that generates income to the Treasury must be approved by a 3/5ths majority – a huge hurdle indeed.

2024

In the 2024 Oregon short legislative session, SOCAN sustained its active advocacy across a strategically diverse range of climate, environmental, and equity-related policies. Despite the inherent limitations of a short session and the abrupt March 7 sine die deadline, SOCAN saw 9 of 18 priority bills reach favorable outcomes, with numerous victories in clean energy, resilience funding, and ecological stewardship.

Major wins included the passage of HB4083 (COAL Act), phasing out state investments in thermal coal; SB1596 (Right to Repair), advancing consumer rights and sustainability; and HB4132, which bolstered Oregon’s Marine Reserve monitoring through adaptive management funding. Key clean energy and climate-forward legislation like HB4015 (Battery Energy Storage Siting), HB4112 (Clean Energy Procurement), and SB1581 (Utility Energy Market Reporting) also successfully passed or advanced significantly, illustrating the legislature’s partial alignment with Oregon’s clean energy transition goals.

SOCAN’s support helped advance HB4014 (Beaver Coexistence), HB4060 (Regenerative Agriculture Funding), and HB4128 (Water Infrastructure Study), all of which tackled resilience through ecological and hydrological investments. Likewise, SB1537—Governor Kotek’s controversial housing and urban growth boundary reform bill—earned SOCAN’s support after key amendments ensured ecological and equity safeguards.

At the same time, SOCAN worked to defeat or amend problematic bills, including HB4106 and HB4133, which sought to undermine Oregon’s Habitat Conservation Plan or reshape forest taxation in ways detrimental to climate and habitat goals. Importantly, SB1559—a crucial update to the state’s outdated GHG targets—died in committee, reflecting persistent resistance among some legislators to codify science-aligned emissions goals.

SOCAN’s persistent testimony, lobbying, and coalition engagement ensured that the short session retained climate relevance despite legislative bottlenecks, positioning the organization as a vital arbiter of both ambition and ecological integrity in Oregon policy.

2024 Top Dozen

SB511 S Funding for homeowner wildfire defense; in Ways and Means – Support

SB1530 Funds Governor’s Housing Bill Passed both chambers. Support, Testimony

SB1537 Governor Kotek’s Housing Bill with Urban Growth Boundary expansion; Passed Both chambers. Opposed pending amendment; it was amended acceptably so changed to Support; Testimony

SB1559 Update of Greenhouse Gas emissions targets. Support, Testimony. Died in committee.

SB1581 Requires investor owned- utility reporting Passed both chambers: Support

SB1593 Golden timber severance tax bill. Died in committee Support; Testimony

SB1596 Right to Repair Passed both chambers Support, Testimony

HB4014 Beaver coexistence funding. In Ways and Means Support, Testimony

HB4015 Facilitates Battery Storage Siting’; Passed both chambers Support.

HB4024 Campaign Finance Reform Referral to Ballot; in Senate Rules Opposed, Testimony Amended as we requested.

HB4060 Funding for Regenerative Agriculture; in Ways and Means Support

HB4080 Offshore wind procedure Support, Testimony in Ways and Means

HB4083 COAL Act removing coal from Treasury investments Passed both chambers Support, Testimony.

HB4106 Undermines Habitat Conservation Plan and demands timber harvest targets; Died in committee Opposed, Testimony.

HB4112 Promotes clean energy procurement and businesses; in Ways and Means Support, Testimony.

HB4128 Funds water infrastructure. In Ways and Means; Support, Testimony.

HB4132 Funds Oregon Marine Reserve Program especially monitoring, Passed both chamber Support, Testimony.

HB4133 Timber harvest tax revision; in Ways and Means Opposed, Testimony.

HJR202 Referred ballot measure to people to adjust quorum. Died in Committee. Support

Candidate Forum 2024

Since our establishment in 2012, starting in 2014, Southern Oregon Climate Action Now has developed and offered candidates and constituents an opportunity to share views on climate and environment issues. The 2024 election cycle is no exception. We have invited all candidates for the current Jackson County Board of Commissioners race, Oregon House Districts 4, 5, 6, plus Oregon Senate District 2 and Federal Congressional District 2 to the forum scheduled for Tuesday October 8th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Medford Public Library (205 S. Central Avenue, Medford). This forum will be followed by an optional 30-minute meet and greet during which candidates and voters will have a chance to continue discussion.

In addition to a question posed by SOCAN to all candidates, the bulk of the forum will be devoted to questions from the audience. These may be submitted on the day via a 4 x 6 card available at check-in or submitted ahead of time to alan@socan.eco (deadline October 7th, 5:00 pm). Questions must be on the forum topic of climate and environment issues and can be directed to all candidates, a specific candidate or all candidates for a specific race or legislative level (i.e., commission, Congress, or state legislature (House and/or Senate). Please designate your target when submitting a question.

The text of our Press Release follows:

“Since our establishment 12 years ago, SOCAN has offered a candidate forum for candidates for office on the subject of Climate and the Environment.’ These events serve our mission to provide candidates and constituents an opportunity to discuss issues falling under this heading and promote a better-informed electorate. This year is no exception. The forum, to which all candidates for the designated positions have been invited, will occur from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Medford Public Library on October 8^th.

“Candidates for the following races will be attending: Jackson County Board of Commissioners; Oregon House Districts 4, 5, and 6; Oregon Senate District 2; Oregon Congressional District 2. All candidates in these races have been invited, though we know that all will not appear. In order to provide audience members with greater involvement than previously, we are restricting the SOCAN questioning to 1 question, and opening the remainder of the time for audience questions on the subject. These questions will be submitted ahead of time to alan@socan.eco. Please submit questions by 5:00 pm October 7^th. We will also provide cards at the event for those joining us to submit a question. Questions may be general for all candidates or target a particular race or candidate. All questions will be vetted by a SOCAN panel for relevance to the topic, repetition and clarity. For more information, visit https://socan.eco/event/socan-candidate-forum/. The forum will be followed by a 30-minute informal meet ‘n’ greet opportunity when constituents can continue conversations with candidates.”

The forum will comprise:

A 2-minute per candidate opening statement,
A 1.5 minute per candidate answer to a SOCAN forum committee question (provided ahead of time to candidates),
A 1.5-minute per candidate answer to each of a number of questions from the audience on the above topic,
A 2-minute closing statement.

The forum will be moderated by SOCAN Executive Director, Daniel Scotton (Director@socan.eco).

For more information contact SOCAN Forum Committee 2024 Facilitator, Alan Journet (alan@socan.eco).

2023

2023 Oregon Legislative Wrap-up

In the 2023 Oregon legislative session, Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN) maintained its central role in advancing climate and environmental legislation, focusing on a broad range of policies from natural climate solutions to building decarbonization and environmental justice. Several key bills supported by SOCAN, such as SB530 (Natural Climate Solutions) and SB522 (renaming and expanding the Oregon Climate Action Commission), passed committee with amendments and were referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, highlighting both progress and fiscal hurdles. Notable victories included the passage of SB543 and SB545, which banned Styrofoam and allowed reusable containers in restaurants, respectively—each a win for reducing plastic waste and consumer sustainability.

SOCAN also threw its support behind a robust “Resilient Buildings” package—SB868 through SB871—designed to future-proof Oregon’s building stock through healthy heating, smart construction, performance standards, and state building mandates. These all advanced to Ways and Means. In parallel, SOCAN supported several House bills with deep climate relevance: HB2998 (Healthy Soils), HB2571 (E-Bike Rebates), HB2990 (Resilience Hubs), and HB3166 (Whole-Home Energy Rebates), all of which aimed to integrate resilience, equity, and innovation into Oregon’s climate response.

While some bills faced Republican obstruction tactics—such as walkouts or procedural delays—SOCAN’s advocacy helped kill numerous regressive proposals. Among the defeated were bills like SB247 and HB2587, which sought to undo wildfire resilience reforms, and HB2236, a blatant attempt to strip the governor and agencies of climate authority. Additionally, a series of pro-nuclear deregulation bills also failed, aligning with SOCAN’s push for climate strategies grounded in equity, transparency, and ecological integrity rather than outdated or risky technologies.

2023 Bills SOCAN Supports

SB80 Cleaning up SB762 wildfire issues and the wildfire risk maps. Recommended Do pass with amendments and requesting referral to Ways and Means. (as A-Engrossed.)

SB 85-1 was HB2667, The Factory Farm (Confined Animal Feedlot Operation – CAFO – moratorium) bill was pulled from the House Committee agenda and assigned as -1 amendment to SB85 before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources since the expectation was that it would not be successful in the assigned House committee. This Factory Farm Moratorium Bill Prohibits Department of Environmental Quality and State Department of Agriculture from issuing or renewing license or permit to allow construction or operation of new industrial confined animal feeding operation, addition to or expansion of existing industrial confined animal feeding operation or addition to or expansion of livestock farm that would cause livestock farm to become industrial confined animal feeding operation. The -3 amendment restricts moratorium to poultry – we oppose this since poultry represent a minuscule component of the CAFO problem statewide. The -4 amendment is also weaker than -1 so we have maintained our support for -1 while acknowledging that -4 would be better than nothing. Hudson, Dembrow, Golden Assigned to House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water; Ken Helm, Chair; text Public Hearing Held, SOCAN Testimony submitted Committee outcome: ”Without recommendation as to passage and request referral to Rules.” Since the Rules committees are not bound by the date deadline that constrains the policy committees, this keeps the proposal alive. Rules committee Public Hearing was held where we submitted written testimony and testified orally. At 45 seconds, this was the shortest testimony I have given this session.

SB522 Changes name of “Oregon Global Warming Commission” to “Oregon Climate Action Commission.” Modifies membership and duties of commission. Adjusts agency reporting; GHG reduction goal to 80% below 1990 by 2050. Senate Committee on Energy and Environment, 1:00 pm February 22^nd SOCAN Testimony submitted Recommended ‘Do pass’ with amendments and referred to Ways and Means. (As A-Engrossed.).

SB530, the Natural Climate Solutions Bill promotes carbon sequestration in the state’s natural and working lands as a way to enhance the state’s effort to address the climate crisis. From the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it is clear that we must not only reduce emissions but also removes some of the greenhouse gases already emitted. Forestry that sequesters carbon and regenerative agriculture that promotes healthy soils are two ways to achieve this goal. SOCAN testimony on SB530. Recommended Do pass with amendments. Referred to Ways and Means. (As A-Engrossed).

SB530 Background:
As the years of its operation revealed that Oregon’s 2007 purely voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reduction program was failing to achieve its trajectory and interim goals, years of effort were spent developing a meaningful state greenhouse gas emissions reduction bill. In 2020, SB1530 was set to pass both chambers until Republicans staged a walk-out defeating the quorum in both chambers and thwarting passage of this and many other important bills. As a result of Republican refusal to engage in serious discussions about a climate program in Oregon, in March 2020 Governor Brown signed, Executive Order 20-04 This EO charged state agencies to develop programs within their authority to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the state with a goal of achieving reduction of 80% below 1990 emissions by 2050. That EO also encouraged carbon sequestration in our natural and working lands and charged agencies to develop programs that incorporated equity. In response the Oregon Global Warming Commission (OGWC) developed a report that identified carbon sequestration in our natural and working lands as a state goal. During the 2022 legislative short session, SB 1534 was introduced to further the proposed OGWC sequestration target. This bill sought, among other related goals, to establish carbon sequestration as a state goal and develop a baseline assessment of historic sequestration. The bill was recommended DO PASS by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire Recovery but was awaiting Joint Ways and Means consideration when the session ended. This bill represents a 2023 effort to revisit the goals of SB1534 and take the action a little further.

SB530 Summary
Establishes promoting natural climate solutions as an Oregon policy in efforts to mitigate future climate change. These are activities that enhance or protect the ability of natural and working lands to sequester and store carbon or reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while maintaining or increasing climate resilience, human well-being and biodiversity. The bill also invests in research to improve understanding of the effects of natural climate solutions in the lands and the products from those lands as well as the contributions such solutions can make to reducing GHG emissions and increasing net carbon sequestration and strengthening climate resilience.

State agencies shall seek federal and private funding, incentivize and implement natural climate solutions, prioritize existing programs to administer funds, promote equity, ensure diversity among participants, identify resources to provide incentives, strengthen land manager education, engagement, and technical assistance, provide financial assistance to tribal, local governments, and NGOs.

The bill seeks to optimize social, health, ecological, climate resilience and economic benefits of natural climate solutions, through reducing Heat Island Effects, improving air quality, flood control, soil health and productivity, wildfire resilience and community protection, drought resilience and response, wetland and riparian functionality for enhanced water quality and quantity, and increasing long-term fiber supplies, climate resilience of fish and wildlife, and protection for coastal communities from the impacts of storm surge. It directs state agencies to incorporate natural climate solutions into their missions, programmatic investments and performance metrics and use metrics designed to track progress in implementing natural climate solutions.

It establishes a Natural and Working Lands Fund in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Funds are then disbursed to Agriculture, Forestry, Watershed and Fish and Wildlife Natural Climate Solutions Funds.

See also Guest Column in Rogue Valley Times: NATURAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS BENEFIT RURAL OREGON

SB542 Requires original equipment manufacturer to make available to owner of consumer electronic equipment or independent repair provider on fair and reasonable terms any documentation, tool, part or other device or implement that original equipment manufacturer makes available to authorized repair provider for purpose of diagnosing, maintaining or repairing consumer electronic equipment. Recommended Do pass with amendments. (As A-Engrossed.) Sent to Rules.

SB543 bans the use of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) containers in Oregon restaurants and for packaging. SOCAN testimony on SB543. Passed Senate and sent to House. Passed Senate 20:9 on 04/03; Passed House 40:18 on 04/26. Awaiting Governor’s signature. A VICTORY

SB545 Directs Oregon Health Authority to adopt rules allowing restaurants to allow consumers to fill consumer-owned containers with food. Passed Senate chamber 19:8, forwarded to House. Passed Senate chamber 19:8 on 3/15, forwarded to House. Passed House 39:17 on 04/26. Awaiting Governor’s signature. A VICTORY

Resilient Buildings Package of 4SB868-1 Healthy heating and cooling for all bill. Passed by Senate Committee on Energy and Environment and forwarded to Joint Committee on Ways and Means. SOCAN testimony submitted. Recommended Do pass with amendments and referred to Ways and Means as A-Engrossed.

SB869 – 1 Building smart from the start. Passed by Senate Committee on Energy and Environment and forwarded to Joint Committee on Ways and Means. SOCAN testimony submitted Recommended Do pass with amendments and referred to Ways and Means as A-Engrossed.

SB870 -1 Building performance standard. Passed by Senate Committee on Energy and Environment and forwarded to Joint Committee on Ways and Means. SOCAN testimony submitted Recommended Do pass with amendments and referred to Ways and Means as A-Engrossed.

SB871 -1 Smart State Buildings. Passed by Senate Committee on Energy and Environment and forwarded to Joint Committee on Ways and Means. SOCAN testimony submitted Recommended Do pass with amendments and referred to Ways and Means as A-Engrossed.

SB-5506 The Joint Committee on Ways and Means is holding public hearings around the state on the budget proposal. Closest to us will be in Roseburg at the Community College on April 21^st 5:00 – 7:00pm. Local Earth Day events are happening on this day at the SOU Farm). Written testimony can be submitted urging funding for climate action generally or specific bills. Climate does not seem to have as high a priority as it deserves, which is inappropriate if the state genuinely wishes to contribute its share to greenhouse gas emissions reduction and sequestration. SOCAN Testimony submitted.

HB-2571 Directs Department of Environmental Quality to establish program for providing rebates to qualifying individuals who purchase electric assisted bicycles Recommended ‘Do Pass’ by House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment. Referred to Ways and Means.

HB-2613 Appropriates $30,000,000 to Department of Environmental Quality for deposit in Zero-Emission Incentive Fund. Joint Committee On Transportation; Public Hearing April 6^thWork Session 04/25. Recommended ‘Do Pass’ and referred to Ways & Means.

HB-2990 Resilience Hubs are Community Centers that provide shelter from disasters – such as earthquakes, heat, and wildfire, and provide information on how to survive the disaster. They often include off-grid power (e.g., solar panels, batteries, and generators). Assigned to Climate, Energy & Environment Pam Marsh Chair; Text Public Hearing and Work Session scheduled SOCAN Testimony submitted Recommended Do pass with amendments, as A-Engrossed, and referred to Ways and Means.

HB2998, the Healthy Soils Bill Creates the Oregon Soil Health Initiative to improve soil health in this state by collaborating on, and advancing, voluntary incentive-based soil health strategies such as sequestering carbon, building soil organic matter, improving water quality by reducing soil erosion, soil compaction while reducing agricultural production costs, promoting the beneficial activity of microbes, fungi, earthworms and other organisms and reducing the costs of agricultural inputs and protecting worker health. The program will be developed and administered by the Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University, The Oregon Department of Agriculture will support the initiative by collaborating with other agencies such as the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). OWEB will provide grants for continuing or expanding initiative practices. OSU Department of Agriculture shall assess and track soil health. $480,000 is appropriated to Oregon Department of Agriculture, $2,480,000 to OWEB for providing grants and $425,000 to the Institute for Natural Resources. SOCAN Testimony on HB2998. Recommended Do pass with amendments and be referred to Ways and Means.

HB3003 Provides tax breaks for electricity utilities burning biomass that is at least 50% juniper.SOCAN testimony submitted urging amendment Forwarded without recommendation as to passage and be referred to Tax Expenditures by prior reference. A Public Hearing was held on this on 04/21 but I missed submitting testimony. So, I sent testimony to all committee members individually. Jeff Golden picked up on one of my comments responding to a proposed amendment reducing the requirement that juniper should be 50% of the biomass burned to 30%. I suggested that this would provide the perverse incentive of encouraging the logging of standing trees. I suggested an amendment to limit any tax breaks to the percentage of biomass combusted in a power plant that is actually juniper. Jeff Golden indicated he would introduce such an amendment.

HB3056 extends residential Heat Pump Fund until January 2, 2026.
This is a simple bill that does just this. Because electric heat pumps are by far the most efficient and effective means for both warming and cooling homes, SOCAN supports the principle of incentivizing the installation of these devices. It would be preferable if the bill limited incentives to electric heat pumps and excluded gas heat pumps. Recommended Do Pass, forwarded to Ways and Means.

HB3113 appropriates moneys from General Fund to Department of Transportation, for biennium beginning July 1, 2023, for improving safety and increasing access to walking, biking and transit on state highways that serve as community main streets. Joint Committee on Transportation. Public Hearing held.

HB3166 Requires State Department of Energy, in consultation with Housing and Community Services Department, to establish whole-home energy savings program and high-efficiency electric home rebate program. SOCAN Testimony submitted. Recommended ‘Do pass’ with amendments and be referred to Ways and Means.

HB3196 Authorizes Environmental Quality Commission to establish by rule fee to be paid by community climate investment entities. This encodes into statute the Climate Protection Program Community Climate Investment Fund. SOCAN Testimony submitted. Recommended Do pass and be referred to Ways and Means.

HB3229 Modifies federal operating permit program fees. Without recommendation as to passage and be referred to Ways and Means.

HB3464 Provides, for purposes of certain statutes relating to taking of predatory animals, that terms “predatory animal” and “rodent” do not include beavers. Alan testimony submitted Recommended ‘Do Pass.’ Passed House 34:11. Referred to Senate Committee on Natural Resources’. Hearing

HB3579 Clean Technology Leadership Bill; Requires Oregon Department of Administrative Services to adopt rules to promote clean energy technology in Oregon SOCAN testimony submitted. Recommended ‘Do pass’ with amendments and referred to Ways and Means.

HB-3590 Directs College of Forestry at Oregon State University, in collaboration with Department of Environmental Quality and State Forestry Department, to research development of fuel pathways for low carbon fuels derived from woody biomass residues from forestry operations. Recommended Do Pass and referred to Ways and Means. SOCAN testimony submitted Suggest neutral but oppose assumption that woody biomass is a positive option. Recommended Do pass and referred to Ways and Means.

HB5018 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Department of Environmental Quality for certain biennial expenses. Joint Committee on Ways and Means, Sub-committee on Natural Resources. SOCAN testimony submitted. Seems to have died for lack of a Work Session

2023 Bills SOCAN Opposes

SB247 undoes provisions adopted in Senate Bill 762 (2021). Dead A VICTORY

SB251 Creates income tax credit for energy production in Oregon. Robinson. This insane anti-Oregon nonsensical bill would provide tax break incentives to all forms of energy thus promoting global warming and the climate crisis. No Public Hearing or Work Session – Dead. A VICTORY

[NOTE SB762 was based on recommendations from the bi-partisan Governor’s Wildfire Council report developed in response to the disastrous 2020 wildfire year. Some Oregonians and their legislators oppose provisions of SB762 based on misunderstanding fed by misinformation and disinformation regarding fire ecology principles. These bills are designed to undermine the bi-partisan effort of the Governor’s Wildfire Council].

SB647 prevents local governments from prohibiting natural gas use in or availability for new or existing residential or commercial buildings.
Buildings are responsible for some 40% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Contributors to this value include the emissions resulting from the so-called embodied energy of construction, along with the day-to-day operations of buildings. The former results in so-called embodied carbon emissions while latter includes the direct day-to-day operational use of fossil (natural) gas and electricity generated from coal, oil or gas-fired power plants. No Hearings – Dead. A VICTORY

SB795 directs State Board of Forestry to convey certain state forest lands to county that determines that county would secure greatest permanent value of lands to county and requests conveyance. SOCAN testimony Submitted No Work Session – dead A VICTORY

HB2195 prohibits municipality that administers and enforces building inspection program from adopting construction standards or methods from Reach Code, or similar or related code of standards and methods, that exceed or are more stringent than statewide standards and methods [that the] Director of Department of Consumer and Business Services adopts and administers.

The whole idea of so-called ‘Reach Code’ in construction is to provide a set of standards that are more rigorous in some way than the standard state building codes. Her is yet another example f legislators bit undermining the ability of local jurisdictions of establishing rule appropriate for their community and that address major issues such as the climate crisis or wildfire protection. No Hearings – Dead. A VICTORY

HB2236 prohibits Governor and specified state agencies from taking measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon unless authorized by Legislative Assembly by law enacted on or after effective date of Act.

The climate science deniers frequently offer proposals that they argue do not reflect denial of the science, but reflect concerns about due process, or fairness, or something. But, they never offer a proposal that actually would, in any way, address the climate crisis. Here’s another example of climate science denial at work. Referred to Rules. WATCH

HB2587 undoes provisions adopted in Senate Bill 762 (2021). No Hearings – Dead. A VICTORY

HB2685 Restores availability of income or corporate excise tax credit for processing or collection of woody biomass. This bill would provide a tax credit for those using biomass as a source of energy. Although promoted as a means of encouraging wildfire protection by removing woody debris from forests, it could also promote logging which compromises forest health and results both in greenhouse gas emissions from the harvest itself and precludes further sequestration of carbon from the standing trees. SOCAN testimony on HB2685. Referred to Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures; no Hearing scheduled. WATCH

HB3022 prohibits Environmental Quality Commission and Department of Environmental Quality from adopting or enforcing rules or standards related to motor vehicle fuels or emissions unless authorized by Legislative Assembly by law enacted on or after effective date of Act. Another legislative proposal that simply undermines the ability of a state agency to perform its duly assigned and authorized responsibilities under the guise of ‘defending democracy.’ In this case, the proposal would precent the DEQ from reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the economic sector responsible for the largest percentage of Oregon’s regulated greenhouse gases. SOCAN testimony on HB3022. No Work Session scheduled – Dead. A VICTORY

HB3382 Authorizes certain ports to construct, maintain and improve deep draft navigation channel improvements without demonstrating compliance with state or local land use law. Joint Committee on Transportation. Public Hearing held; no Work Session schedule.

HB-3590 Directs College of Forestry at Oregon State University, in collaboration with Department of Environmental Quality and State Forestry Department, to research development of fuel pathways for low carbon fuels derived from woody biomass residues from forestry operations. Voted out of Climate Energy & Environment with ‘Do Pass’ recommendation and referred to Ways and Means. SOCAN testimony submitted. We adopted a neutral position but suggested amendment insisting on an unbiases study. Recommended Do pass and referred to Ways and Means WATCH

The Pro-nuclear Package
SB676 removes requirement that adequate repository for terminal disposition of high-level radioactive waste be licensed as precondition for issuance of site certificate for nuclear-fueled thermal power plant. No Public Hearing or Work Session – dead. A VICTORY

SB831 removes requirement that adequate repository for terminal disposition of high-level radioactive waste be licensed as precondition for issuance of site certificate for nuclear-fueled thermal power plant. No Public Hearing or Work Session – dead. A VICTORY

SB832 removes small modular reactor power plants from regulation of energy facilities by Energy Facility Siting Council. No Public Hearing or Work Session – dead. A VICTORY

SB833 requires Oregon State University to study use of thorium as nuclear fuel in nuclear power plant. Brock Smith. Another bill designed to promote nuclear power. No Public Hearing or Work Session – dead. A VICTORY

HB2215 removes requirement that adequate repository for terminal disposition of high-level radioactive waste be licensed as precondition for issuance of site certificate for nuclear-fueled thermal power plant. No Work Session – dead. A VICTORY

2022

2022 Oregon Legislative Wrap-up

In the 2022 legislative session, Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN) and the Rogue Climate Political Action Committee (ROCPAC) played a pivotal role in supporting and advancing a broad slate of climate and environmental legislation in Oregon. SOCAN and ROCPAC delivered testimony and rallied support behind key bills that successfully passed into law, such as SB 1518A (creating a Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings), SB 1519 (granting property tax exemptions for community solar), and HB 4057 (setting water efficiency standards for sprinklers). Their advocacy also helped push forward significant budget allocations totaling over $80 million to support decarbonization, environmental resilience, and community protection, including EV infrastructure, heat pump installations, drought resilience, and pollinator protection.

On the natural resources front, SOCAN and ROCPAC backed legislation that resulted in meaningful regulatory shifts. SB 1501, for instance, enshrined the Private Forest Accord into law—significantly enhancing riparian protections and initiating pesticide regulation. Other wins included support for the Elliott State Research Forest (SB 1546) and wildfire recovery measures (SB 1533). While several transparency and accountability-focused bills, like SB 1561 and HB 4115, stalled or died in committee, their backing illustrates SOCAN’s broader commitment to structural reform.

SOCAN and ROCPAC’s efforts were especially visible in the realm of environmental justice. They testified in favor of HB 4002, which extended overtime protections to agricultural workers—among the most climate-vulnerable populations—and supported HB 4077, which established the Environmental Justice Council. These successes, alongside their active opposition to ineffective housing cost exemption maneuvers (SB 1537), reflect a clear alignment with community-driven and equity-focused policy. Despite a few disappointments in stalled legislation, the session demonstrated SOCAN’s strategic influence and dedication to systemic climate action.

2021

Legislative and Advocacy Highlights: 2021

During the 2021 Oregon legislative session, SOCAN supported six successful climate bills—including HB 2021, committing the state to 100% clean electricity by 2040, and SB 762, implementing wildfire prevention and response strategies. At the same time, SOCAN helped defeat six harmful measures that would have stalled or reversed climate progress.

Outside the Legislature, SOCAN mobilized over 7,600 public comments to strengthen the state’s Climate Protection Program, resulting in a rule requiring fossil fuel suppliers to cut emissions 90% below 2017–2019 levels by 2050. Advocacy extended to the federal level through meetings with Senator Jeff Merkley’s office, while locally, the County and City Project influenced climate planning in Ashland, Talent, Medford, Grants Pass, and Jacksonville—securing seats on key advisory bodies in Medford and Grants Pass.

SOCAN also shaped long-term forest and climate planning by contributing to the Oregon Global Warming Commission’s Natural & Working Lands Plan and the Department of Forestry’s Climate Change and Carbon Plan, achieving first-time state recognition of “climate-smart forest management.” These wins, paired with expanded coalition leadership, made 2021 a high-impact year of legislative victories, regulatory progress, and stronger institutional presence.

Learn more about SOCAN’s statewide and local climate leadership here.

2020

Ballot Measures Addressing Climate Pollution (2020)

In advance of the November 2020 election, Oregon’s climate coalition prepared a series of ballot initiatives to accelerate the state’s transition away from fossil fuels. These measures were designed both to strengthen renewable energy requirements and to ensure equity and labor standards guided that transition. While state officials initially rejected two of the proposals under a “single subject” rule, the decision was overturned in court, affirming their unified focus on building a renewable energy system.

Alongside these initiatives, a new proposal—IP 56—sought to strengthen protections against toxic pollution. It would have required existing facilities to meet the same health-based standards as new ones, eliminated industry carve-outs, and restored communities’ rights to know what pollutants were entering their air, water, and soil. This measure reflected a growing recognition that addressing climate change must also safeguard public health and local empowerment.

The statewide effort to bring these measures forward demonstrated both urgency and broad public support, with petitions submitted, rallies organized, and communities across rural and urban Oregon calling for action. While the legislature’s inaction sparked this movement, the ballot initiatives represented a clear path forward for voters.

Learn more about each measure and SOCAN’s role in advancing them here.

2020 Candidate Interviews:

Although Southern Oregon Climate Action Now doesn’t have the capacity to endorse candidates, we are interested and able to provide Southern Oregonians with an opportunity to learn where candidates stand on climate and environmental issues. Under normal circumstances, we achieve this through scheduling a candidate forum for each of the categories. In the era of COVID-19, we have elected to achieve this educational purpose by inviting each candidate in the list below to participate in an interview over a prescribed set of questions which are identical for every candidate competing for that position. In this case, all candidates for the state legislature are provided the same questions while all candidates for the respective Boards of County Commissioners are provided the same questions (but different from the legislative candidates question set). The following candidates, representing all those competing in the designated races, were invited to participate. The videos of the interviews are now available, identifiable as names with live links.

Jackson County Board of Commissioners Position 2 Candidate Questions 2020
Jackson & Josephine County State Legislature Candidate Questions 2020
Curry County (Coastal SOCAN) Legislature Candidate Questions 2020

Learn more about Jordan Cove

2019

HB2020 – Oregon’s Climate Action Program

As reports confirm the dire future humanity faces if we fail to address global warming and reign in the climate chaos it is causing, our Federal Government stand firm in its rejection of the science and the need for action. As a result, responsibility falls upon the states and local jurisdictions to assume the mantle of action.

With the commitment of Oregon’s political leadership to take action on global warming, the Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction, has developed and introduced a draft legislative proposal to establish a statewide Climate Action Program. Not surprisingly, the usual corporate suspects have orchestrated a campaign to promote fear of the consequences of such a program that is based on distortion and misinformation.

All reports point to the probability that a bill similar to HB2020 will be introduced into the 2020 short session under the heading of ‘unfinished business.’ It is difficult to imagine there being anything else more appropriate to meet that criterion. Meanwhile, a series of Ballot Measures have been developed by Renew Oregon and collaborators allowing us to take the issue of addressing climate chaos through reductions in Oregon emissions to the voters of Oregon in November 2020 should legislative action not be successful.

We are currently collected 1,000 signatures on a petition drive to demonstrate that these Ballot Measure are not frivolous and assure that they are turned into actual Ballot Initiatives. Once this has been achieved, we will need to collect over 100,000 signatures.

Learn more about each measure and SOCAN’s role in advancing them here.

Learn about the Oregon Climate Action Program

2018

The Clean Energy Jobs Bill (2017–2018)

The Clean Energy Jobs Bill (CEJ), first introduced as SB 1070 at the close of the 2017 session, carried strong support from Democratic legislators and the Governor’s office heading into 2018. Its goal was to place Oregon on a path toward meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by setting enforceable standards for polluters. Despite the urgency of the issue, partisan divides in the Legislature created significant challenges, with leadership in the Senate uncertain and procedural hurdles threatening to block progress.

Recognizing these obstacles, advocates launched a coordinated campaign to expand support. SOCAN and partner organizations reached out to businesses, agricultural leaders, faith communities, and local elected officials, while also mobilizing constituents to press their representatives. At the grassroots level, forums like the SOCAN/Rogue Climate Clean Energy Jobs Forum provided space for education and collaboration, ensuring that community voices helped drive momentum behind the bill.

Within the political landscape, strategy extended beyond direct lobbying. SOCAN worked with the Democratic Party of Oregon and county-level committees to build resolutions in support of the bill, strengthening the push to make it a legislative priority. Meanwhile, earlier efforts in 2017 illustrated the uphill climb: companion bills such as SB 557 and HB 2135 advanced through committees but ultimately stalled, underscoring the importance of sustained pressure and broad coalition-building.

The history of the Clean Energy Jobs campaign highlights both the barriers and the determination required to advance climate legislation in Oregon. Every step revealed the need for strong public engagement and consistent advocacy to counter political inertia.

Learn more about the Clean Energy Jobs Bill and SOCAN’s efforts to champion climate policy here.

2017

As Oregon’s 2017 session unfolded, multiple proposals emerged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, each taking a different approach. Key bills included SB 557 and HB 2135, “cap, trade, and invest” proposals modeled on earlier Healthy Climate legislation, with targets to cut emissions 20% below 1990 levels by 2025 and 75% below 1990 levels by 2050. While these bills incorporated equity and labor provisions, they drew concern for weak scientific grounding and confusing changes to the Oregon Global Warming Commission.

A parallel effort, SB 748, adopted a “cap, fee, and invest” framework, requiring polluters emitting over 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent to pay fees, with revenues directed toward environmental justice and disadvantaged communities. Similarly, HB 2468, crafted by Our Children’s Trust, sought deeper reductions—91% below 1990 levels by 2050—while mandating DEQ reviews to keep targets aligned with science. In contrast, LC 1242, a carbon tax proposal, faced opposition from SOCAN for failing to address full greenhouse gas emissions, exempting major fuel sources, and capping the tax at levels inadequate to drive meaningful reductions.

Other proposals addressed the state’s climate governance and infrastructure decisions. HB 3269 suggested renaming the Oregon Global Warming Commission as the Oregon Commission on Climate Change. LC 1237 introduced a climate test for new fossil fuel infrastructure, requiring state agencies to evaluate the full economic costs of greenhouse gas emissions before approval. LC 3025 sought to strengthen utility emissions standards and increase mitigation fees, while HB 2478 attempted to tilt analysis against emission reductions by focusing only on costs to Oregonians, not benefits.

Forests and fossil fuels also became a focal point. LC 2875 proposed a timber harvest tax tied to the federal Social Cost of Carbon, creating incentives for forest landowners to increase carbon storage. Meanwhile, HB 2480 aimed to block local governments from regulating fossil fuel infrastructure expansions, a measure SOCAN opposed for undermining community authority. Ocean health was also addressed through SB 276, which would establish a council to study and report on ocean acidification and hypoxia.

Finally, attention turned to Oregon’s Residential Energy Tax Credit (RETC), which Governor Brown had proposed ending in 2016. Advocates pushed for its extension, including expanding eligibility to community solar participants. With a major statewide transportation package also anticipated, concern grew that legislative energy could shift toward measures with negative climate impacts. Together, these bills revealed the breadth of Oregon’s climate policy debate in 2017—spanning emissions limits, taxation, forestry, energy incentives, and infrastructure.

Learn more about these proposals and SOCAN’s positions here.

Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Bills

Bills are initiated by representatives, drafts are then developed by the Oregon Legislative Counsel, a panel of Attorneys tasked to formulate ideas into workable bills. Drafts are then given LC numbers. When bill are introduced, they are given a House Bill (HB) or Senate Bill (SB) number depending on the chamber into which they are introduced.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Legislation under Consideration for 2017A three-page summary of major items (similar to the list below); Updated February 2017 AJ

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Bills

SB557 The Cap, Trade and Invest Bill (formerly LC1239 ) is a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions reduction bill also known as the Clean energy Jobs Bill since it promotes investment in renewable energy – particularly targeting investment in disadvantaged and rural communities such as those in Southern and Eastern Oregon.

This is essentially SB 1574, The Healthy Climate Bill, from 2016 with goals similar to the 2007 HB 3543 voluntary program (see A Little History above) but incorporating slightly more rigorous intermediate steps: by 2025 20% below 1990 (instead of 10% below); 2035 40% below 1990 (not mentioned in 2007); 2050 75% below 1990 (same). During 2016, discussions were held among climate, labor, and social justice groups to develop principles and endorse a proposal that meets everyone’s concerns. The outcome is a bill that is similar to SB1574 from 2016 though it has shortcomings as noted below. Rather than assigning rule-making to DEQ as in the 2015 HB3470, this bill defined committee composition and contains specific language on how funds will be allocated to promote GHG emissions reductions while addressing equity, social justice, and labor concerns.

This is not strong on keeping programs current with best available science. It also contains a strange component that involves renaming the Oregon Global Warming Commission the Oregon Commission on Climate Change and includes an incorrect definition of climate change. For more details, see a two-page SB 557 2017 summary by Alan Journet.

HB2135 Cap, Trade & Invest– House version of SB557; identical to SB557 with same benefits and shortcomings including the OGWC weirdness discussed above.

SB748 Cap, Fee and Invest for Comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction.
Applies to polluters who emit over 25,000 tons of CO₂e. Polluters pay a fee for emissions above that limit on a schedule determined by the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) as appropriate for that covered entity. The Commission establishes the total permitted climate pollution allowable from all covered entities and also establishes the GHG emissions limit for each entity starting in 2021 based on factors to be determined by EQC. Target is the goals of the 2007 HB3543 legislation.
This identifies GHG emissions reduction targets as at least 10% below 1990 by 2020; 75% below 1990 by 2050 but assigns details and rule-making to DEQ. DEQ adjusts goals consistent with best available science and is responsible for establishing rules that acknowledge environmental justice.
Distribution of funds is similar to, though not identical with, SB557 with strong consideration for addressing disadvantaged communities.

HB2468 Cap and Delegate – This bill was developed by Our Children’s Trust and Policy Interactive (Tom Bowerman, author of the 2015 HB 3470 – Climate Stability and Justice Act).It serves as a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions education bill that targets emissions. Targets are more rigorous (and consistent with the needs implied by best available science) than other proposals at 10% below 1990 level by 2020, 68% below 1990 level by 2035, 91% below 1990 level by 2050. By 2018, emissions reduction shall be no less than 8% per annum; DEQ shall conduct a five year reviews from 2019 onwards, can adjust limits according to best available science.

LC1242 A Carbon Tax Bill – This is only a ‘carbon from fossil fuel combustion’ bill and is not a greenhouse gas emissions reduction bill. SOCAN’s opposition to LC1242, The Carbon Tax Proposal is based on the following concerns:
a) The bill text describes it as: “Relating to entities that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions” and Section 1 indicates: “the purposes of sections 1 to 14 of this 2017 Act are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals established under ORS 468A.205 and to promote adaptation and resilience by this state’s communities and economy in the face of climate change.” Unfortunately, however, when the actual bill mechanism is presented (Section2) it states unequivocally: “Carbon-based fuel” means coal, natural gas, petroleum products and any other product used for fuel that contains carbon and emits carbon dioxide when combusted.” Although the term greenhouse gas(es) is used frequently in the text, there is nowhere any suggestion that the target is really greenhouse gases. The target is confined to carbon from combustion which means the bill would promote natural gas and the consequent associated fugitive emissions (leakage) of methane from shale fracking and transmission.
b) The bill specifically excludes from taxation: “Any fuel supplier or utility that is administered by a federal agency” and “Any carbon-based fuel or carbon-generated electricity that is transported through this state but not consumed in this state.” This language suggests that the bill is written with a view to promoting natural gas extraction and transport through the state for export and profoundly not written to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
c) The bill provides a transportation fuel escape clause if taxes go up to more than 6% of market value.
d) The bill requires a three/fifths majority
e) The bill makes no effort to capture full life cycle emissions (leakage – fugitive emissions)
f) The bill identifies a ceiling on the Carbon tax of $60 per ton, which the PSU study demonstrates is inadequate to achieve the stated goals. See also the OGWC 2015 and 2017 biennial reports.
LC 1242 Critical Elements

Other Climate-related Bills

LC1237, the Climate Test Bill for Fossil Fuel Infrastructure (Construction) Projects in the state. This bill targets pipelines, export terminals, and transport facilities etc. Although it seems initially to target carbon and carbon-based fuels, it really addresses greenhouse gases (including but not limited to carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride).

The bill requires that the state Department of Energy (in consultation with the EQC and any other interested state department) develop a climate test, i.e. full assessment be undertaken of any proposed infrastructure project that accounts the economic cost of greenhouse gas emissions and the economic benefits. The proposal incorporates the requirement that current science be employed in the assessment. Although it does not demand any specific outcome (such as project denial) should the costs benefit ratio appear negative, it requires that we understand this ratio before making a decision. According to proponents, this element should be included when the bill is introduced.

LC 3025, Limit on Utility CO2 Emissions Requires a revision to update the emission Standard for Power Plants to most efficient plant in US and to raise the mitigation fees for CO2e from $1.27 (current) to either a set fee of $21.95 or tied to a percentage of an acceptable standard (e.g. Social Cost of Carbon or the California Market Allowance), proceeds used for offsets to the facility emissions that exceed the CO2 standard.

HB2478 Cost Assessment for GHG reduction measures. Requires DEQ to assess the cost to Oregonians of emissions reduction efforts – but not the cost to Oregonians of emissions. This is clearly an effort to load the dice against reducing GHG emissions. Introduced by Rep Cliff Bentz (R Ontario).

LC2875, the Tree Harvest Taxation Bill This would impose a tax on timber harvested in OR according to the carbon dioxide emissions that result in relation to the federal Social Cost of Carbon. It establishes a fund to be used to motivate forest landowners to sequester carbon – i.e. reduce GHG emissions. The tax is imposed on annual harvests greater than 25,000 board feet thus excluding the small woodlot owner.

HB 2480, the Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Bill Pre-empts city, county or other local government from enacting charter provision, ordinance, resolutions or other provisions regulating expansion of infrastructure for the primary purpose of transporting or storing fossil fuels. Introduced by Rep Cliff Bentz (R Ontario). We oppose this bill since it eliminates local control.

SB276 An Ocean Acidification/ Hypoxia Bill Establishes Oregon Coordinating Council on Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia to make biennial report to legislature.

Notable Achievements:

The Southern Oregon Climate Coalition is active and seeking help. We have a series of District teams committed to engaging local Senate and House Representatives in an effort to persuade them to support the principles and a Clean Energy Jobs Bill this session. Individuals can help in a vast number of ways.
The simplest level is to ‘Support the Cause’ (see below) by signing a petition in support of the principles, by persuading your organizations (Church, Community Group, Business) to sign on, or by encouraging local businesses to sign on.

If you’d like to take the next step, you can write to your representative encouraging their support for meaningful legislation (see Materials… below) or write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper encouraging the same (see Materials below and the SOCAN Media Corps page for tips on letter writing).
Additionally, you can join one of our Legislative District teams members of which are contacting our representative directly.

During the session (which started Feb 1 and runs into July) we will be organizing trip(s) to Salem to support the bills in hearings and visit reps there. According to reports, our representatives are often particularly impressed when constituents make the trek to Salem to visit them in the Capitol…even though we often find more time is available to visit with them when they are in the District – and we are mindful of the GHG emissions resulting from our traveling to Salem to do this.

Clean Energy Jobs 2017

During late summer/fall 2016, a coalition of Portland based environmental/climate groups, grassroots climate groups, representatives for social justice/equity, and labor started meeting to consider shared concerns and interests and develop a comprehensive GHG emissions reduction approach for 2017. The impetus for these meetings and discussions was recognition that – to be successful and to be just – any bill supported would have to acknowledge two critical components: (a) that disadvantaged communities already suffer excessively from the impact of global warming / climate change and also – without due recognition to their reality – could suffer excessively at the hands of proposed remedies, and (b) that workers dislocated by the GHG emissions reductions programs need special assistance to compensate for that dislocation.

From these meetings, a set of principles were developed by which proposed legislation would be measured. Our expectation was to support bills in relation to how well they satisfied these principles.
In 2015 six GHG bills were introduced. Among these were tax/fee bills and cap bills. Some were not comprehensive GHG emissions reduction bills but focused solely and inadequately on carbon (carbon dioxide) from the combustion of fossil fuels – thus nitrous oxide, methane (a serious problem resulting from natural gas leakage) and other gases were ignored. Such bills effectively comprise natural gas promotion bills and could result in greater ,rather than, less global warming.

From our efforts over the last few sessions, one piece of advice we have received repeatedly is that we need to coalesce behind a single bill.

Although no single bill has yet been anointed with our support, SB557 seems to be the most promising. Developed from the 2016 Healthy Climate Bill, this meets most of the principles, but as yet fails adequately to assure that policies keep current with best available science.

Resource Archive:

Support the Cause

Letter Bullets Feb 2017 Points to consider in writing letters to representatives or newspapers
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Legislation under Consideration for 2017 A very vrief summary of proposals under consideration.

SB 557 – HB 2135 2017 Clean Energy Jobs Bill Summary A two-page summary of the preferred bill by Alan Journet.

Guest Opinion Column By Hannah Sohl and Shirley Weathers Medford Mail Tribune, February19 2017

Clean Energy Jobs Principles The principles guiding the Statewide coalition’s evaluation of 2017 bills
Organizational sign-on in support of the principles.

Individual sign-on petition in support of a Clean Energy Jobs Bill principles

Small Business Sign-on in support of the principles

Confronting Climate Change Testimony submitted February 22nd 2017 on behalf of SOCAN by Alan Journet to House Energy and Environment Committee and Senate Environment and Natural resources Committee in support of SB557 for the joint Hearing scheduled for March 1st in Hearing Room F.

SOCAN’s suggested Amendments to SB557 Submitted in an effort to bring the bill closer to the Principles.

Materials From January 31st SOCAN Meeting – Letter Writing information

Table directions for coordinators with suggestions for writing.

Representative Letter Bullets Feb 2017 Ideas on what to include in letters to the editor or letters to representatives.

The Climate Challenge 2017 Addresses Contact addresses for Southern Oregon representatives.

2015 & 2016

During these sessions, bills were introduced – but failed (for various reasons) to achieve passage.

In 2015 the Climate Stability and Justice Bill (HB3470) passed out of the House Energy and Environment Committee but was stranded in the Joint Senate House Ways and Means Committee as the session ended. This genuine comprehensive GHG emissions reduction bill identified caps to emissions but assigned rule-making to the Department of Environmental Quality so did not specify exactly how the cap would be achieved – though the expectation was that the procedure would involve issuance of allowances/permits to pollute and corporations would bid for those allowances. The targets were entities responsible for 25,000 or more tons of CO2e emissions. The justice component of the bill involved the requirement that social justice issues would be addressed in the mechanism established for expenditure of the revenues generated, so long as projects contributed to GHG emissions reductions.

In 2016, our vehicle was the Healthy Climate Bill (SB1574). Similar to HB3470 from 2015, this bill differed in that rather than assigning rule-making to DEQ, much of that was embedded in the bill itself. This bill emerged from the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee but again stalled in the Joint Ways and Means Committee. Since 2016 was a short session, there was little room for error, and thus the bill died as the session ended.

Notable Achievements:

As the year drew to a close, SOCAN joined and has become an
active partner in the Southern Oregon Healthy Climate Coalition
in an effort to support the Healthy Climate Bill scheduled to be
introduced into the 2016 Oregon Legislative Session.

Major activities of the Government Group during 2016 were visits to Senator Wyden’s staff Molly McCarthy, Representative Walden’s local staff representative, Riley Bushue and, shortly after the November election, to State Senator Alan DeBoer. Government Group Chair Alan Journet served informally as a climate advisor to candidate Pam Marsh. Working in collaboration with Rogue Climate, the group also organized a networking breakfast for local city council members and staff to exchange ideas about how they are addressing, or would like to address climate and clean energy issues. This September session was attended by about a dozen representatives from four local councils. The team has also been collaborating with the Southern Oregon climate groups and the statewide climate coalition to promote meaningful comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions (climate pollution) reduction legislation both for the 2016 session, and through the summer and fall in developing principles and policy for 2017.

People’s Climate March –
QuarterSheets
Poster ClimateMarchPosterfinal