HB3579 Promoting state procurement of renewable energy

Alan R.P. Journet Ph.D.
Cofacilitator
Southern Oregon Climate Action Now
alan@socan.eco
541-500-2331
March 26^th 2023

Reference House Bill 3579

Chair Marsh and members of the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment:

I write as cofacilitator of Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN), an organization of over 2,000 rural Southern Oregonians who are concerned about the climate crisis and urge statewide action to address it. The mission of SOCAN is to promote awareness and understanding of the science of global warming and its climate chaos consequences and stimulate individual and collective action to address it. Since rural Oregonians occupy the frontlines in experiencing the impact of the drought, shrinking snowpack, wildfires and extreme weather that the climate crisis imposes, we are strongly committed to statewide action.

I write in support of HB3579.  Those of us concerned about addressing the climate crisis know that our use of energy is a primary driver of the crisis. This indicates that any steps we can take to convert our energy sources from fossil fuels to renewables accompanied by efficient storage components will contribute to this effort.

The bill itself articulates effectively exactly what is needed in stating succinctly:

”SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, “clean energy technology” means a facility, piece of equipment or other property that:

“(a) Produces energy from the sun, water, wind, geothermal deposits or other renewable resources, including fuel cells, microturbines or energy storage systems and components;

“(b) Enables energy conservation in heating, cooling or ventilating residential or commercial buildings;

“(c) Facilitates or assists in manufacturing or expanding infrastructure to support electric vehicles, particularly medium-duty or heavy-duty electric vehicles;  or

“(d) Is otherwise capable, in the judgment of the Director of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, of conserving energy or producing energy from renewable and low emission sources. “

In requiring the Department of Administrative Services to promote procurement of clean energy technologies and establish a Task Force to attract and support regional manufacturing activities that engage in providing clean energy technologies, HB3579 represents a huge strep towards promoting exactly the kind of energy sources that Oregon needs in order to achieve meaningful greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

For these reasons SOCAN supports HB3579 and encourages its passage with a ‘Do Pass’ recommendation.

Respectfully Submitted

Alan Journet