2011 legislative session report card

With a House evenly split between parties,  the 2011 Oregon legislative session was quite a balancing act. See commentary from our legislative director in addition to our report card:

Cool Schools

Champions: Governor Kitzhaber, Representatives Jefferson Smith and Jules Bailey

Cool Schools passed with near unanimous support! This bill will make it easier for schools to access a pool of existing funds set aside for energy efficiency projects, putting Oregon to work making old school buildings safer, cleaner and more efficient. Federal, state, and private funds will be used to provide low-interest loans to schools for updates to heating and cooling, lighting, cleaning up mold and asbestos, and improving the overall environmental quality of the learning environment.

Peer-to-peer car-sharing

Champions: Representative Cannon, Senator Dingfelder

This bill clears the way for peer-to-peer car-sharing programs through which individuals can rent their cars to neighbors with the ease of mind of full insurance coverage and a smooth rental transaction handled by a peer-to-peer car-sharing company. Peer-to-peer car-sharing can reduce driving and promote clean air. It’s a win for the renter, who can save money by not owning a car and for the owner, who can generate revenue from a car that would otherwise sit in the driveway.

21st century bottle bill

Champions: Representatives Berger and Cannon, Senators Hass, Dingfelder & Courtney

40 years ago, OEC worked to pass the nation’s first bottle bill. This year, we’re pleased to see it updated to cover more bottles and cans and to boost recycling incentives. The bill will help Oregonians recycle a greater variety and volume of bottles and cans by requiring a bottle deposit on most beverage containers by 2018; increasing the deposit to 10 cents if the state falls below an 80% return rate (by 2017 at the earliest); and setting up a redemption center pilot. Kudos to our environmental community partners, particularly Recycling Advocates and OLCV!

Natural resource agency funding cuts

OEC’s advocacy helped natural resource agencies avoid some of the most dramatic budget cuts to programs that protect water, air and landscape.  Still, natural resource agencies will bear more than their share of program cuts to balance the budget compared to other agencies. In particular, slashing the Department of Environmental Quality’s budget disproportionately will severely hamper monitoring and enforcement measures for air and water pollution.

Business Energy Tax Credit

It may have flaws, but the BETC tax credit program has undoubtedly built Oregon’s diverse, robust renewable energy industry and helped businesses save energy. Legislators recognize the value in this program but also cannot afford to fund the same level of program in this budget-constrained environment. After this legislative session, the program is on life support with commitments to come back and increase funding at a later date. Climate Solutions, Renewable Northwest Project and other advocates will seek the best way to revive the public health, safety, and environmental rewards of a clean energy future.

BPA-free baby bill

Champions: Senators Boquist and Dingfelder, Representative Cannon

The legislature failed to pass a bill to ban toxic BPA from baby bottles, sippy cups, sports water bottles and to launch a labeling program for canned food. Despite a strong vote in the Senate and an expression of majority support in the House, bad politics kept this bill from a final vote. We thank the broad coalition of parents, physicians, environmentalists and Oregonians who lent their unwavering support.

Plastic bag ban, marine reserves, reducing river pollution

Other good ideas that didn’t make it into law: a bill to ban river-polluting copper and other heavy metals from auto brake pads; a ban on single-use plastic bags, and a proposal to add three sites to Oregon’s network of marine reserves and marine protected areas.

Agricultural Water Quality Management

One proposed bill, HB 3613, would have weakened the Department of Environmental Quality's ability to protect water quality from agricultural run-off. OEC worked hard to oppose the bill, and bring together the Governor's office, cattlemen, farmers and environmental advocates to work out a better solution. The session ended with a compromise in the works; stay tuned in 2012 for an effective, accountable bill that works for clean water and for agriculture.

Ramping up energy efficiency

Good ideas fell by the wayside, but we’ll pick them up again in future sessions. Ideas include creating an efficiency rating for buildings (similar to a miles-per-gallon rating for cars) and requiring utilities to seek ways to conserve energy before they generate more.