2009 Session at a Glance
Accomplishments
House Bill 2186 – Reducing global warming pollution from transportation
Under House Bill 2186, Oregon will adopt a low-carbon fuel standard to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuel 10% by 2020. The DEQ can also establish policies to reduce unnecessary idling by commercial ships and to require that auto mechanics ensure tires are properly inflated when servicing vehicles. The bill also establishes a task force to evaluate using metropolitan planning organizations to incorporate global warming concerns into land use and transportation planning. Read the fact sheet (PDF).
Senate Bill 79 – Cementing Oregon as the national leader in green building
Senate Bill 79 directs the creation of a "reach code" or a set of optimal construction codes to increase the energy efficiency of new buildings over time. Under the bill, the code will require an increase in efficiency of non-residential buildings between 15% and 25% and residential buildings between 10% and 15% by 2012. From there, the state will use a step-wise process to continue strengthening the code as technology and building techniques improve. In addition, the bill authorizes a task force to examine creating Energy Performance Scores for new and existing buildings and report back to the Legislature.
House Bill 2626 – Making energy efficiency improvements affordable
The Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Technology Act (EEAST) will help make affordable improvements to help Oregon homes and businesses use energy more efficiently. Under the bill, the Oregon Department of Energy, Energy Trust of Oregon, utilities and local governments will facilitate making cost-effective improvements, including providing a project manager and advocate to explain financing options, help select a contractor and help ensure projects are done properly. It will also assist those in need by creating a fund to support low income energy efficiency upgrades, and by simplifying repayment options for renters and low-income homeowners.
Senate Bill 101 - A ban on supplying power to Oregon from new dirty coal power plants
Oregon establishes an Emissions Performance Standard for new power plants under SB 101, requiring them to have emissions no greater than a combined cycle natural gas plant. As a result, Oregon utilites will be prohibited from building new coal plants, extending the life of existing coal plants or signing new long term power plant purchases from coal plants located outside Oregon.
Setbacks
House Bill 3039 - Watering down Oregon's Renewable Energy Standard
House Bill 3039 included a HCP priority - establishing a feed-in tariff program for solar energy - but also contains provisions that significantly water down our Renewable Energy Standard requiring 25 percent of Oregon's electricity come from renewable sources by 2025. Under the bill, every watt of solar energy is counted double towards meeting that goal. As a result, there will be less overall investment in renewable energy in Oregon and the utilities will be able to keep using more fossil fuels to supply our power.
Unfinished Business
Senate Bill 80 - A plan to make the necessary reductions in Oregon's global warming pollution
The centerpiece of the 2009 session climate agenda, SB 80 would have originally committed Oregon to joining a regional cap-and-trade system, the Western Climate Initiative, that would have achieved Oregon's goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. After relentless industry and utilities opposition doomed the cap-and-trade proposal, HCP joined other public interest groups in crafting a new proposal that would have established a sector-by-sector plan for achieving our global warming pollution reduction goals. But again, industry and utilities refused to commit to making any meaningful reductions in emissions, ultimately killing the negotiation process.
