The bill also requires the Oregon Department of Energy (Oregon Department of Energy) to develop an energy security strategy plan by June 1, 2024.
We’re taking vital steps to prepare ourselves for disaster. It’s only a matter time, said Senator Michael Dembrow, D.Portland, who authored the bill.
The bill also strengthens state agency coordination and directs the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to update and review its list of prohibited wildlife species.
Quinn Read, Oregon policy director for the Center for Biological Diversity, stated, “It’s so exciting to watch Oregon lead efforts to prevent future health crises by tackling biodiversity exploitation head-on. Wildlife trafficking and wildlife trade are key drivers of the extinction crises.
Similar legislation was considered, but not approved, during the 2021 legislative sessions. This was after COVID-19 had been identified in mink at an Oregon mine farm. Mink farms do not qualify for the current bill.
Environmental justice Oregon’s Environmental Justice Task Force was established in 2007 and is made up of volunteers from all over the state
House Bill 4077 The task force is replaced by an Environmental Justice Council with dedicated staff and funding.
Local activism Young Oregon climate activists see the solutions in their backyards.
The bill directs council to create a mapping tool to evaluate socioeconomic, health, and environmental disparities. The tool will include data such as air pollution emissions, toxic hazards and ozone levels along with information such linguistic isolation and income levels.
Joel Iboa, Executive Director of Oregon Just Transition Alliance, stated that Oregon is owed a healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient next generation.
Illegal water use Illegal cannabis operations use surface and ground water without rights, depleting resources for legal agricultural, recreational, and other uses. According to the Oregon Water Resources Department, the problem is particularly severe in Southern Oregon.
House Bill 4061 Water hauling to unregistered and unlicensed cannabis grow sites is prohibited. False information to law enforcement, OWRD and certain water suppliers are prohibited.
More: Legislative plan to increase air conditioning passes access
Mattress product stewardship: With the passage and approval of the Oregon Mattress Stewardship Act, Oregon will be the fourth state to have a mattress stewardship programme. Senate Bill 1576 .
The state will be able to recycle and collect used mattresses for free.
The bill requires the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to certify a Stewardship Organization to run the program. Funding for the program will come from a fee on mattresses sold.
Reach Task Force As suggested, Senate Bill 1518 This would have allowed cities the freedom to implement a building policy that requires higher energy efficiency standards to meet their greenhouse gas reduction goals.
An amendment to the bill was made to weaken it. Instead, a Task Force on Resilient Energy-Efficient Buildings was created with 27 members to identify and evaluate policies related to building codes and decarbonization.
The task force will make recommendations for legislation to be considered during 2023 Legislative sessions. Advocates are optimistic that more progress will be made next fiscal year.
Meredith Connolly is the Oregon Director of Climate Solutions. She stated that widespread action is necessary to make existing and new buildings and homes ready for a clean energy future. Oregon has lacked innovative policies to make homes more resilient, more affordable, and more healthy.
Some bills failed
However, there were some bills that were not prioritized by environmental groups.
Wildlife corridors Oregon drivers are more likely than others to drive. Collide with an animal State Farm, an insurer, says that drivers in West Coast states are safer on the roads than those in California.
The state has five wildlife crossings compared to the 30 in Washington and 50 for California.
House Bill 4130 It would have allocated at most $5 million in the current biennium to structures that help wildlife cross roads safely. It would have allowed the state also to apply for federal matching funding through President Biden’s infrastructure package.
The bill failed. However, Oregon spent $7 Million through the budget bill on wildlife crossings.
Carbon sequestration The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality adopted the Climate Protection Program in December. This ambitious plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The department decided to drop provisions at the last moment. Carbon sequestration . In response, legislators introduced Senate Bill 1534 This creates the environment for natural and workable lands to be voluntarily managed to carbon sequestration.
Numerous climate organizations, small farms, ranches, water and conservation districts supported the bill. Many of the major agricultural and forest industry groups in the states opposed the bill, arguing that it could lead to new regulations rather than incentives or partnerships.
Tracy Loew works as a reporter for the Statesman Journal. You can reach her at tloew@statesmanjournal.com , 503-399-66779, or on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew .
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