Oregon Climate Initiatives Presentation

Two groundbreaking carbon reduction proposals are being considered in Oregon to combat climate change and at a meeting on Tuesday, October 23 at 7 PM at Riverside Church, Hood River, these initiatives will be presented and discussed with the audience. (This meeting was moved from our normal third-Monday date.)

The first initiative is the Clean Energy Jobs bill which is taking shape in the Oregon legislature and is designed to do three things: cap limits on the largest carbon polluters in the state, charge large emitters for every ton of air pollution, and invest in clean energy solutions and job training programs. Passage and the strength of this bill will be determined by the make up of the new Oregon legislature after the mid-term elections. Both Hood River Democrats, Chrissy Reitz running for State Senate and Anna Williams running for State Representitive, support the bill.

The second proposal is specific to Portland but if successful it could spread throughout Oregon and to other states.  The Portland Clean Energy Initiative anticipates generating $30 million in new annual revenue for clean energy and clean energy jobs. The revenue is raised by a new 1% business licensing surcharge on the Portland revenue generated by retail corporations with over $1 billion in annual revenue and at least $500,000 in Portland revenue. The tax will not apply to groceries, medicine or health care services. Over 200 organizations and individuals have joined in a coalition to pass this bill which will be on the Portland ballot for the mid-term elections in November. This is the first bill of this type in the Country.

The public is invited to attend and learn about both initives and share their thoughts. Following the presentations there will be coffee and desserts offered. The meeting is being jointly hosted by the Columbia Gorge Climate Action Network, 350PDX and Columbia Gorge Womens Action Network.