How can we accelerate clean energy adoptions with the best local and state policies?

“We need your energy, ideas, and enthusiasm! We need your talent. Your willingness to participate makes a huge difference in influencing the outcome of local issues.” —Loo Wit Chapter of the Sierra Club

Vote! The simplest, most important action you can take in any election year is to vote! It’s no secret that the Republican Party and the Religious Right have been hijacked by billionaires seeking more tax cuts and power, and prominent among these uber-rich interests are fossil fuel companies aiming to obliterate environmental restrictions of any kind.

At the federal level: Call your Senators and Representative often to protect the IRA and stop the GOP destruction! The Biden administration passed the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, which is by far the largest climate legislation in history. The IRA was designed to direct hundreds of billions of dollars to a huge list of GHG reduction investments and rebates for households and businesses. Now the IRA needs to be protected and expanded to save our ecosystems, while Republicans aim to dismantle the IRA and every other environmental protection they can.

At the state level: Most of the clean-energy policies affecting the Gorge are decided at the state level. During legislative sessions is the best time to lobby for state policies.

Your inputs make a difference! Your lobbying is heard, whether you’re trying to be another useful voice or deep diving into energy strategies, or anywhere in between. Here are some lobbying resources:

Some of the energy policies are complex or confusing, especially regarding their efficacy and wide impacts. For example, pricing current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems can raise lots of revenue but have little direct impact on fossil-fuel demand. The calculations behind the clean fuels standard in each state are complex. Recycling is a popular topic, but accounts for less than 2% of the emissions of our consumption. Etc. In most cases, policies that steer consumer purchase choices have demonstrated by far the strongest impacts. For example, Norway’s lifetime emissions fees on vehicles have made Norway the only country on track to reduce transportation emissions 50% by 2030.

At the city or county level: Oregon cities and counties have various options for raising fees or taxes that could be directed to funding clean-energy incentives or programs. For example, Ashland’s city council recently adopted an ordinance that adds a heavy permit fee for the lifetime emissions of gas appliances, similar in structure to Norway’s new-vehicle fees. Other Oregon or Washington cities could adopt such policies.

Your voice carries more weight at the level of a small city or county, especially if you are passionate or your understanding of a topic is personal or deep enough to aid the discussion.

Other climate policy information and organizations: The existing policies from the federal government and the states of Washington and Oregon are useful and necessary, but not sufficient. Governments could and should do more, and households must also do their part to adopt clean infrastructure.

National organizations: Rewiring America; Energy Innovation; Evergreen Action

Oregon Organizations: Columbia Gorge Women’s Action Network (CGWAN); OLCV; Oregon Environmental Council

Washington Organizations: Washington Conservation Action; Shift Zero alliance; Washington Climate Corps Network