Waking up from the fever dream
Did you hear the news that Governor Kotek signed the most comprehensive climate action package in Oregon history into law earlier this month? So, what all passed, and why does it matter? Here’s a rundown of the critical legislative victories that reduce climate pollution, scale up our clean energy transition, and create more resilient communities across Oregon.
We saw success despite a challenging legislative environment that included a minority of Senators leading the longest walkout in Oregon’s history. Because the legislative calendar was down to the wire, many climate and clean energy bills were combined into two omnibus bills collectively called the “Climate Resilience Package” that passed in the waning days of session. Investing $90 million total in the annual Climate Budget with a laser focus on leveraging up to $1 billion in federal climate funding, the combination of this legislation will increase the deployment of heat pumps, solar panels, storage, electric trucks, and buses, make energy efficiency and clean energy more affordable, support the build-out more renewables and microgrids, sequester carbon in our forests and farms, and help the state plan to reach our 100% clean goals. All of this brings a just, equitable, and rapid transition from fossil fuels to clean energy closer within reach while increasing the resilience of our communities.
These bills made it across the finish line thanks to an unrelenting coalition effort with many fellow climate advocates, frontline communities and environmental justice leaders, key business support, unwavering legislative champions like Senator Kate Lieber and Representative Pam Marsh, and all the support you all provided for this effort. As we find ourselves in the middle of yet another “impact season” (formerly simply known as summer) chockfull of deadly heat waves, wildfires, and smoke, it's essential to understand what the state is doing to address this unfolding crisis and position Oregon as a leader in the clean energy transition.
Many of the investments in this policy package set up Oregon to maximize the federal funds available from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, but more is needed. Other important proposed legislation didn’t get across the finish line, including sustaining funding for the state’s popular EV rebates and closing gaps in our 100% clean laws.
To address the climate crisis, clean up our air, and boost clean energy jobs, we must fully decarbonize our electricity grid and use those clean electrons to power our buildings, our industrial manufacturing, and the transportation sector (on this particular subject, check out our efforts to decarbonize fleet vehicles in Oregon and Washington through a business accelerator, Breaking Barriers Collaborative). We have most of the necessary technology, know-how, and cornerstone policies needed to achieve this clean energy transition in the coming decades. Unfortunately, we’re still moving at too slow a pace, and much more investment is required in order to ensure the transition is genuinely affordable, equitable, and at the scale necessary-- largely due to opposition of fossil fuel interests and their allies along with the inertia of the status quo.
What we accomplished this legislative session is moving the needle in the right direction, and we are proud to share in this major victory. Now, the work continues!
Last updated 8/29/2023
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