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I can't pay my bills
Protect Oregonians from rising energy bills

Whether it's eggs or utility bills, our most basic needs are getting more expensive. 

As Oregon households struggle to keep up with rapidly rising utility bills and worsening climate impacts, Climate Solutions is partnering with the Building Resilience Coalition and Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board to do something about it. Oregon lawmakers have an opportunity now to advance an energy affordability package that will help drive down utility bills and increase access to life-saving clean technologies, like heat pumps.

Next week, the Oregon Legislature is holding hearings on three key bills in the 2025 energy affordability package. Your voice is essential to moving these important policies forward.

Urge your legislator to support energy affordability!

Here are the bills on deck in the Legislature next week:

  1. Transparency in Rates (SB 88): Lowers energy bills by limiting what expenses utilities can charge ratepayers. Our goal is to make sure that expenses like lobbying and advertising are footed by shareholders, rather than Oregon households.
  2. Protecting Oregonians With Energy Responsibility (POWER) Act (HB 3546). Protects Oregon households by making sure data centers and other big tech pay their fair share for their massive grid infrastructure and energy costs.
  3. One Stop Shop 2.0 (HB 3081): Helps Oregonians access incentives for electric heat pumps and other home efficiency upgrades that save energy and money. 

Stay tuned for future opportunities to support energy affordability!

Author Bio

Nora Apter

Oregon Director, Climate Solutions

With over a decade of experience in public policy and environmental advocacy at the state, federal, and local levels, Nora champions ambitious, equitable policies that protect Oregon’s climate, strengthen community resilience, and support local economies. At Climate Solutions, she is dedicated to fostering the long-term success and resilience of the Oregon policy team.

Nora is committed to leveraging state policy as a blueprint for climate innovation and leadership. She believes in the power of coalitions to drive meaningful change and is passionate about building collaborative relationships and diverse partnerships to achieve a healthy, just, and thriving future for Oregon’s communities and climate.

Before joining Climate Solutions, Nora served as Director of Programs and Climate Program Director for Oregon Environmental Council (OEC). In these roles, she led dynamic teams and broad coalitions to advance lasting solutions to Oregon’s environmental challenges, spearheading statewide advocacy campaigns to secure landmark climate policies and solidify Oregon’s leadership in climate action. Earlier in her career, Nora spent eight years in Washington, D.C. defending and expanding federal environmental protections. As Deputy Director of Federal Affairs for NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), she guided legislative and administrative strategy across a wide-ranging environmental policy portfolio. Prior to NRDC, Nora served as a Legislative Aide to U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon.

Nora earned a B.A. in International Affairs and Economics from Lewis & Clark College in Portland. She serves as a Commissioner on the Oregon Climate Action Commission, where she helps shape strategies to achieve Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Outside of work, Nora loves spending time with friends and family, exploring Portland’s vibrant food scene, seeing live music, and adventuring in Oregon’s natural landscapes.

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