Addressing climate change is critical for Oregon’s future. To do this we need a strong clean energy economy that caps and permanently reduces greenhouse gas emissions, uses natural and working lands to sequester CO2 and builds climate resiliency statewide. The Clean Energy Jobs Bill (HB 2020A) accomplishes all three.

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Confirm Oregon’s Leadership

Adopting HB2020A Clean Energy Jobs bill upholds Oregon’s leadership in creating effective and innovative solutions. How we build out a GHG reduction program in Oregon can inspire other local and state governments to address climate solutions.

• Create 50,000 jobs*
• Reduce over 550 MMT cumulatively by 2050 (equivalent to avoiding burning 1.2 Billion barrels of oil)
• Grow state GDP 2.5% annually by 2050*
• Save Oregonians $2 billion dollars annually in health costs after 2030*

The Process

This bill is the best fit for Oregon because so many Oregonians shaped this groundbreaking policy. For several years, environmental, equity, public health, business, and rural organizations, Tribes, and labor unions have worked with legislators to develop an effective greenhouse gas pollution pricing program for Oregon.

Hundreds of hours of hearings and debate, thousands of pages of exhibits and testimony

A bipartisan group of legislators engaged stakeholders beginning in 2016 through today in formal and informal settings to craft this program. Committee hearings, public testimony, interim workgroups, policy meetings, and several studies conducted over the years answer questions ranging from job creation potential to use of natural and working lands to capture greenhouse gases.

Constituent Demand

Climate lobby days set records for attendance in 2017, 2018 and 2019. This year more than 700 people, from all 30 Senate districts, attended to rally and meet with their elected officials. Public hearings in Salem and six locations around the state yielded more than 700 people testifying, a majority in favor of cap-and-invest. More than 16,000 Oregonians have signed a petition in support, including more than 1,500 youth leaders. 830 small businesses and over 200 farmers have voiced their support as well.

Protect Oregon’s Future: The Cap Ensures Oregon Meets its GHG Goals

• Covers all major sources of fossil fuel pollution
• Strong interim target that will reduce emissions at least 45% below 1990 levels by 2035
• Declining cap through 2050 that will reduce emissions at least 80% by 2050
• Resources state agencies to develop and implement the program

Pricing Pollution: Reducing Greenhouse Gases, Creating Regional Partnership & Holding Polluters Accountable

• Intent to link to WCI market
• No special treatment for fossil fuel infrastructure
• No exemptions for major emitters
• $10 million per biennium for assistance to support workers during the transition to a clean energy economy
• No windfall profits to oil companies
• Strong oversight of allowances granted to utility companies
• Qualifying Oregon industries, employing best available low-carbon technology, will be held to maximum accountability while protecting competitiveness in the global market 
• Restrictions can be imposed on offsets to address air pollution hotspots

Investing in Climate Solutions: Equitable & Just Transition to a Clean Energy Economy

• Majority of investments will go to impacted communities
• First-in-the-nation 10% allocation to Oregon Tribes
• 20% of investments will go to projects on natural and working lands
• Prioritizes reducing energy burden for low-income households
• Promotes greater investment in renewables and energy efficiency
• Protects low- and fixed-income ratepayers
• Incentivizes strong worker protections and wage standards
• Benefits communities throughout Oregon with reinvestment opportunities
• Recognizes co-benefits (air quality, economic diversification, job training)
• Provides technical assistance for under-represented communities

Governance: Inclusive Representation & Transparent Accountability

• Representative advisory committee
• Requires consultation with the Environmental Justice Task Force
• Audits and reporting for all dollars invested
• Requires an investment plan with public input and legislative oversight

Berkeley Economic Advising and Research (2019). Oregon’s Cap-and-Trade Program (HB2020): An Economic Assessment. https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/CPO_BEAR_HB2020_Economic_Assessment.pdf

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