Give us that #ClimateHope

Everyone's favorite swashbuckling Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, shocked the world with an unexpected announcement that Canada would become the first country in our hemisphere to put a price on carbon pollution nationwide -- and by 2018.

A top trending topic on Facebook: a pretty scary article about an undeniable threshold. Our atmosphere is above 400 ppm of carbon dioxide and it won't come down in our lifetime. It's a little science-y, but that's a dangerous mark. Still not too late to turn things around with a clean energy revolution, but the window is closing fast!

Out-of-state oil companies and their allies spend big money in Oregon politics, trying to influence lawmakers to defeat clean energy policies. These huge corporations are putting their profits ahead of the people who live here and the climate we need to protect to keep enjoying our way of life.

Common Cause Oregon, along with many helpful partners, has put together a report on exactly which politicians in Oregon raked in the most money from polluters and how those same politicians voted on clean energy.

All this week, Common Cause is naming names and connecting the dots to follow the money.

You're invited to see who is on their list and what tactics out-of-state oil companies are using to stop progress toward a clean energy economy in Oregon.

First Agreement Spotlights New Collaboration with Mayors; Second Agreement Serves to Step Up Previous Efforts in Light of COP21 Global Climate Accord 

SAN FRANCISCO – On behalf of a region of 53 million residents, three U.S. governors and the B.C environment minister joined the mayors of six major West Coast cities to announce the Pacific North America Climate Leadership Agreement at the Clean 

Energy Ministerial (CEM7) today. Leaders from the Pacific Coast Collaborative (PCC)—a partnership between California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia—teamed up with mayors from Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Oakland, and Vancouver—all members of the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance—to approve the pact to move the region’s clean energy economy forward. With a combined GDP of USD $2.8 trillion, the Pacific North America region represents the world’s fifth largest economy.

The West Coast leaders announced the state-cities agreement as a part of the subnational portion of the Ministerial. Today andtomorrow, energy ministers, elected officials, business leaders, and other high-level delegates from 23 countries and the European Commission are working to fulfill the pledges they made last December at the COP21 global climate change talks in Paris with clean energy policy commitments.

We did it, Oregon! We're on our way to being rid of power from polluting coal and we're building a clean energy economy.

The Clean Electricity and Coal Transition bill makes Oregon the first state in the nation with legislation to go coal-free. And it is the first state-level renewable energy victory following the Paris climate agreement.

The bill has a lot of great stuff built in and will have historic effect on cutting climate pollution in Oregon and helping our state shift to a clean energy economy.

Here's our TOP TEN LIST of what's to love about the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition bill:

For the past quarter, I’ve been the Clean Energy Campaign Coordinator for OSPIRG at the University of Oregon.  My fellow students and I know that climate change is the greatest threat of our time. Globally we’re already experiencing the symptoms of climate change, which include more severe storms, ocean acidification, and drought. Here in Oregon, last summer wildfires devastated property and led to huge consequences for our health and economy. This is the issue of our generation, and that’s why we decided to take action.

Nine Mayors across the state have signed on in support of the Healthy Climate Bill (SB 1574). "The Healthy Climate Bill can level the playing field for clean energy solutions in Oregon, foster innovation and technological progress, and advance public health," the letter reads. "It is the right opportunity for Oregon at the right time."  

Co-authored by Megan Kemple (350 Eugene), Hannah Sohl (Rogue Climate), and Page Atcheson (Renew Oregon)

Over 50 farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural stakeholders have signed onto a letter urging the Oregon legislature to pass the Healthy Climate Bill (SB 1574). The bill, which passed out of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee last week, would limit carbon pollution and invest in Oregon communities, to support the transition to clean energy and prepare for a changing climate.

The letter reads: 

 Our rural communities are observing dramatic changes in the climate, which we must address or lose our livelihoods. When climate change exposes our crops to extreme and unpredictable temperatures, our yields and economic security are threatened. Severe storms, droughts and floods lead to decreases in crop yields, soil erosion, infrastructure damage and disease/insect infestation. Many regions of Oregon are already experiencing these changes and last year the majority of Oregon’s rural counties were in extreme drought, threatening our crops, livestock, and water supply. 

A recent poll done by FM3 Research shows that about 7 in 10 Oregonians support the proposal to transition Oregon off coal to a clean energy economy. 

That's 70% of likely voters in Oregon who are ready for real action to be taken on climate change.

With overwhelming and bipartisan support, the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition bill pass through the Oregon House of Representatives on Monday afternoon.  

Passage through the house sets the bill up for a vote in the Senate in the coming days. HB 4036, known as the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition bill crafted by environmental advocates and supported by the major utilities that would transfer Oregon’s power off coal-fired electricity and replace it with clean, renewable sources.

On the House floor, supporters spoke about the importance of returning Oregon to a place as a national leader in addressing climate change. Transitioning the state off coal will send a powerful message about the importance of cleaning up our electricity sector and protect ratepayers from costly coal plant upgrades.

140 businesses, large and small, sign a letter to lawmakers urging passage of HB 4036

SALEM, Ore. ­­ In a strong show of support for clean energy and climate protection, 140 Oregon businesses signed and delivered a letter to Oregon legislators this morning urging passage of the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition bill, SB 1547 B.

The signers range from huge operations like Oregon Health & Science University and the Portland Trail Blazers to small business owners from Tillamook to Bend, Portland to Ashland.

The opening to the letter reads:

In recognition of the clear and present need for action on climate and low­-carbon energy to protect our state’s natural assets, vibrant communities and growing economy, the below businesses encourage a coordinated effort to combat climate change at the state level. Leading is what we’ve always done. Together, regardless of politics, we can again lead the way.

From Oregon’s booming, multi­billion dollar wine industry to renewable energy companies, heavy electricity users to main street small business ­­all agree a transition to a clean energy economy will protect Oregonians and help businesses grow.