Aug. 5, 2005 --Biofuels Legislation Hijacked and Crashed
For Immediate Release: Friday, August 5
Contact: Matt Blevins, OEC, 503-819-9375
Chris Hagerbaumer, OEC, 503-222-1963 x. 102
Biofuels Legislation Hijacked and Crashed by Industry Groups
Oregon Environmental Council criticizes Oregon House for killing biofuels legislation
Salem, OR – The Oregon House doomed an important piece of legislation that would have provided significant incentives for the in-state production and use of biofuels.
Biofuels are American-made, renewable substitutes for petroleum fuels. Using biofuels such as biodiesel and ethanol improves air and water quality, supports rural economies, curbs global warming, and increases energy security.
By insisting on the inclusion of a dramatic expansion of the Pollution Control Tax Credit, as proposed by the business lobbying group Associated Oregon Industries, the Oregon House of Representatives ended any hope that House Bill 3481 could gain approval and become law. The legislation would have provided important incentives for in-state production and use of biofuels. Associated Oregon Industries used the biofuels legislation as a vehicle for its own agenda instead of allowing the bill to benefit from the broad support it previously enjoyed in both the Oregon House and Senate.
In addition, lobbyists for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers used House Bill 3481 as a vehicle for their own unrelated agenda. The auto industry inserted a clause into the bill to undermine Governor Kulongoski’s efforts to bring cleaner cars to Oregon. The clean car standards under consideration would require that new cars sold in Oregon emit less air pollution and far fewer global warming gases. This move by the automakers is consistent with their long history of balking against common sense regulations - like seat belts, catalytic converters, and air bags. This time, they also undermined Oregon’s efforts to bring cleaner, renewable fuels to market.
”We are deeply disappointed that the Oregon House chose not support Oregon’s fledgling biofuels industry,” said Matt Blevins, legislative affairs director for the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC). “The bill would have moved Oregon to a more secure and environmentally-friendly energy future, but the House was more interested in subsidizing polluters to comply with clean air and water laws that have been on the books for years.”
Biofuels have attracted the attention of a wide variety of Oregonians, including agriculturalists, businesses that produce biodiesel and ethanol, and environmentalists. Prior to session, OEC saw a need to bring these and other stakeholders together – including the bill’s chief co-sponsors Rep. Jeff Kropf (R-Sublimity) and Rep. Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland) to develop and promote biofuels legislation. Because it places a premium on collaboration, OEC developed the Oregon Biofuels Network (www.biofuels4oregon.org), partnered with Sequential Biofuels to hold a Biofuels Lobby Day, educated Oregonians about the potential for biofuels, and lobbied hard for the best possible biofuels legislation.
OEC will continue to work with biofuels stakeholders to promote sound state policy, both inside and outside of Salem.
