From Community for Earth (CFE)

After failure by the Oregon legislature to adopt any meaningful climate legislation in the 2019 Legislative Session, Governor Kate Brown did what she could to reduce greenhouse gases through an Executive Order.  EO 20-04 set new science-based emissions reduction goals for Oregon and directed state agencies to write plans for how they will use their statutory authority to help meet the goals.

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was given the very large assignment of establishing a regulatory program to cap and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from three sectors: large stationary sources (industry), transportation fuels, and all other liquid and gas fuels including natural gas. DEQ and the Environmental Quality Commission that oversees their work have been scoping the program and writing draft rules for how the program will operate.  The rules are critically important. They will determine how effective the program is in reducing our greenhouse gases and protecting life on our planet.

Now the draft rules are ready for public comment.  The comment period closes on October 4, 2021, at 4 pm.  Written comments can be very brief if you like. Simply expressing your demand for Oregon to take bold climate action in a short, personal note or testimony is helpful. Add what worries you about the impacts of climate change and why it’s important for Oregon to act. If you have time to make just one point, ask DEQ to strengthen the cap that they have set on pollution.  The draft rules call for reducing GHG pollution to 45% of the base by 2035 and 80% by 2050.   The science is clear that this does not go far enough. Every state and nation must cut climate pollution in half this decade. Tell DEQ that the cap must cut 50% of climate pollution from the covered sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050.

If you have enough information and are ready to write your comments, submit them as soon as possible via email to GHGCR2021@deq.state.or.us.  Or, REGISTER HERE  for the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon workshop on Monday, September 20 from 6pm – 7pm.
Remember to submit your comments by email by October 4 at 4 pm. If you prefer to submit yourcomments orally, there will be two public hearings:  September 22 from 4pm – 7pm and September 30 from 4pm – 7pm.  You must register to speak at DEQ’s web site: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/Pages/capandreduce.aspx

Questions?  Call or email Linda Craig 971-285-1505, lindacraigpdx@gmail.com.