House committee to hear vital climate change proposal
January 24th, 2008 by Jim JustTomorrow (Friday January 25), the House Energy and Environment Committee will hear public testimony on important legislation to advance Oregon’s fight against global warming.
In 2007 the legislature passed HB 3543, which established greenhouse gas reduction goals into Oregon law – but bill did not outline a strategy to reduce Oregon’s share of global warming pollution, give the state authority to meet the new goals, or hold the state accountable for addressing climate change.
B 3543 also failed to make the connection between transportation and land use policy to global warming.
Legislative Concept 70 (LC 70), if enacted as a bill, would provide Oregon with two critical tools: accurate information and accountability.
- LC 70 calls for a clear and accurate measurement of Oregon’s carbon footprint. It requires C02 reporting from large emitters of greenhouse gases.
- LC 70 establishes accountability. It requires state officials to report to the Legislature on the measures necessary to meet the goals.
Help move Oregon towards a climate-friendly future by attending the hearing at 1:00pm in Hearing Room B in the Capitol. If you can’t attend in person, relay your comments to Committee Chair Jackie Dingfelder.
The text of LC 70 is available here. Reports are that it will undoubtedly be amended prior to being introduced in February. Its present form as an inventory and report mandate looks like a precursor to a cap-and-trade system.