The Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction has scheduled a road trip to four locations around Oregon to hear local testimony on HB2020, the bill to establish an Oregon Climate Action Program.  This is the 2019 version of the Clean Energy Jobs Bill that we have been promoting for a couple of years to cap statewide greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the arguments of those opposing the proposal to shift Oregon from being part of the problem to becoming a leader in combating it, is that this is just a gambit by Portland Liberals that residents of the rest of the state oppose.  It is critical, therefore, that we marshal a large number of Southern Oregonians to attend and demonstrate that this is false.   A mass of orange SOCAN T-shirts would add to the message.  Also, if you are interested in offering oral or written testimony in support, this would be very helpful.  

While any testimony in support based on your person feelings, experiences, and aspirations would be welcomed, we will be trying to coordinate testimony to make a few key points both by way of support for the bill, and by way of opposition to the arguments of the fossil fuel industry and their lap-dogs in the legislature who resist the principle that our state should addressing its greenhouse gas emissions.  If you are interested in joining this panel of witnesses, please contact Alan.

Committee Membership and Agenda: 

We don’t know how many members will be here.

Giving Testimony? There are two ways:

1.  Sign up as you arrive at the Hearing to give oral testimony.  This will probably be a first-come, first served basis, so it’s a good idea to get there early.  Also, don’t expect to have unlimited time; you’ll probably get somewhere between 90 and 120 second (maybe 3 minutes if really lucky) so only try to make one (maximum two) points.  One of the opposition claims is that HB2020 is a Portland Liberal effort and the rest of the state is opposed, so we need to be there in force to stress that we want climate action in Oregon.  I suggest all presenters incorporate the frame: “HB2020 / the Climate Action Program is good for Southern Oregon.
2.  Submit written testimony via the committee link: jccr.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov . This can be body of email or an attachment. If you have time, it would be incredibly valuable also to submit written testimony fleshing out the points you made orally.  There is no limit on the length of these, but short and succinct is probably better given legislator or staff time availability to read.
3. Tip:  Convention is to start testimony (oral or written) as follows: your name and residence, “Co-Chair Power, Co-Chair Dembrow, and members of the Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction”…..then launch your polite clear comments.

For information on the bill, visit SOCAN.eco/cej

Ideas for Points to Make