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.

Oregon Editorial Boards Weigh In: It’s Time to Transition Off Coal

The Clean Electricity and Coal Transition Bill is a hot topic of discussion, and local newspaper editorial boards are weighing in. From Astoria to Medford and beyond, the Coal Transition Bill is receiving widespread support. And why shouldn’t it? Crafted by a diverse set of parties -- from investor-owned electric utilities, to environmental and consumer organizations, and the renewable energy industry -- the bill reflects the interests of all those who will benefit from this game-changing piece of legislation.

Nationwide, the cost of coal is going up, and the price of clean energy is coming down. Climate change poses a major threat to our way of life in Oregon, but also represents a great economic opportunity to harness the power of clean, renewable energy. The Coal Transition Bill offers a common sense approach to this transition, and will make Oregon a national leader in the movement to adopt clean energy. The vote within Oregon’s legislature may still be out, but the verdict among editorial boards is in -- the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition Bill is good for Oregon.

Senate Majority Office

Oregon State Legislature
State Capitol
Salem, OR

Healthy Climate Act advances to Joint Ways and Means Committee

SB 1574 to cut carbon emissions statewide, establish ‘cap and invest’ program

SALEM – Two key Oregon Senate Democrats are taking the lead on a bill to reduce carbon emissions and fund projects that promote a healthy environment, renewable energy development and transportation infrastructure across Oregon and its most disadvantaged communities.

From the beginning, one of Renew Oregon’s priorities has been to build the largest coalition of organizations focused on addressing climate change in Oregon’s history. Some of the campaign’s biggest supporters are those who work in and advocate for public health and well-being. A broad group of professional groups, clean-air advocates, practitioners and public health organizations have signed on to a letter calling on Oregon’s lawmakers to support HB 4036, the Clean Air and Coal Transition bill that would double Oregon’s renewable energy and eliminate the use of coal.

No one knows more about the disastrous effects of climate change than the women and men who treat and care for Oregonians suffering from respiratory illness, lung disease, heart problems, and other conditions that are increasingly more chronic and acute the longer we burn coal and other pollutants for our power. That’s why it is so significant that so many health advocates are standing up in support of the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition bill. You can read the letter on behalf of Health Advocates here:

They sound like change, progress, activism, excitement and so much more.

Less than a year ago, Renew Oregon was founded with one big, bold goal: to transition Oregon from polluting power to a clean energy economy. There is a lot to accomplish in that short, powerful statement. So we set priorities: get coal out of Oregon’s electricity, put a price on climate pollution and defend clean air protections we already have.

Today, we have big news to share! And it’s thanks to you, and people like you, who have joined this campaign -- donating money, volunteering your time or helping us spread the word for climate action. Our strength together helped put a clean energy ballot measure on a path to the November ballot.

But there may now be a way to win the ballot measure campaign without actually having to go to the ballot. That’s because the big utilities have agreed to support a legislative proposal that includes virtually everything in the ballot measures, AND MORE!

There’s just something about a fresh start to the year. 2016 is going to be BIG!

The Oregon legislature meets in February with a promising new bill in the works to enforce our state’s limits on climate pollution and invest the proceeds to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy, create good-paying jobs and drive innovation. The Healthy Climate Bill will help Oregonians with energy retrofits for homes and businesses, more renewable energy like solar and wind, and transportation improvements. Additionally, the bill should include provisions for low-income and rural Oregonians, who are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Renew Oregon is part of a large coalition urging action on this bill.

Is it just us, or does 2015 seem like a year when things took a turn toward saving the climate? It’s been a heck of a fight to get here and not every day brought good news, but together we accomplished a lot.

It’s not a moment too soon. This, after all, will be the warmest year on record, one of the worst wildfire seasons and the worst year of drought in Oregon history. #ThanksClimateChange

Our story featuring an Oregon Firefighter went viral!

3 Things We're Thankful For

This week, we spend time with loved ones, eat great food and slow down our busy lives for a few hours to be grateful for what we have and give thanks to those that make it possible.

You’re part of our Renew Oregon family, so we’re letting you know what we’re thankful for. We hope you’ll tell us too.