Climate Action in Oregon
Climate Solutions is concerned about the recent spate of articles in The Oregonian that are critical of renewable energy projects. While many of the articles have had useful information, we believe that the industry must answer back. Our friends at Renewable Northwest Projects have developed a response to those concerns. Read the RNP response here.
Oregon action at the Federal level
Here in Oregon, Climate Solutions is working hard with our Business Leaders for Climate Solutions network to build a clean energy economy that will create jobs, reduce carbon emissions and fuel innovation.
As Senate action moves slowly, we are calling on Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley to vote for strong climate change legislation. You can help by calling their offices and asking them to support strong climate change legislation.
Senator Wyden: (202) 224-5244
Senator Merkley: (202) 224-3753
Oregon's BETC - Our wrap-up of the 2010 legislative session
Business Leaders for Climate Solutions worked to galvanize business leaders to support clean energy policy in Oregon during the 2010 legislative session. Thanks to all of you who attended meetings, called or visited legislators, testified at hearings and submitted narratives about how the Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) has allowed you to grow your business in Oregon. Clearly, your hard work made a big impact.
The Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) - HB 3680
Our unique BETC program has successfully attracted numerous clean-energy businesses and jobs with favorable financing those companies that locate or expand in Oregon.
In today’s tough budget environment every revenue program gets extra scrutiny, and numerous recent Oregonian pieces called attention to flaws in the programs implementation and fueled efforts to weaken or eliminate the BETC altogether. I’m proud to say that clean-economy leaders mounted a successful education campaign urging the Legislature to build on the BETC’s merits and fine tune the program with new guidelines.
It was exciting to see the legislators respond to strong calls from Business Leaders for Climate Solutions and other partners across Oregon, and new BETC funding exceeded even our expectations.
Though the legislation and the Oregon Department of Energy are implementing numerous guiderails on the BETC program, it is critical that our entrepreneurs and our policymakers understand that clean energy is a key job creator in our state.
As the rulemaking and implementation process continues, we will keep you aware of opportunities to advocate for Oregon’s clean economy.
Climate Planning in Metropolitan Districts - HB 1059
METRO has been a leader in a West Coast effort to integrate carbon reduction goals into transportation planning. We still lack conclusive data about whether significant new transportation projects, such as the Columbia Crossing, will help or hinder our battle to reduce greenhouse gases, but METRO has pioneered a technical approach providing clarity.
HB 1059 builds on this work and helps six of Oregon's major metropolitan areas to include greenhouse gas reduction goals into transportation planning. Our partners at 1000 Friends of Oregon and the Oregon Environmental Council deserve thanks for leading the effort to pass this important bill.
For more details, please see:
An executive summary on the BETC’s new funding and guiderails, prepared by David Van’t Hof of Lane Powell LC and distributed at a recent meeting of the Northwest Environmental Business Council.
An executive summary of the BETC’s pass-through program, prepared by Brian Doherty and Michelle Slater of Miller Nash LLP.
My own recent piece on the BETC updates.
To support and encourage state leadership, Climate Solutions has been working with the Oregon business community to create a “climate constituency’ for policy initiatives designed to reduce global warming pollution and keep Oregon at the forefront of the clean energy economy.
Climate Solutions has taken a key role in informing and organizing Oregon businesses toward support for strong climate policy initiatives that will drive new markets for clean tech. As new policy is developed and debated, Climate Solutions works to connect business leaders to policy leaders, providing opportunities to make their voice heard. 
In 2009, Climate Solutions was a leader in the creation of the Oregon “Healthy Climate Partnership” a coalition of organizations promoting effective climate policy. Climate Solutions has been connecting our network members to the state legislative process, where forward-thinking businesses are a key player in advocacy, negotiation, and public outreach around climate-related legislation.
