According to news reports, in an attempt to secure a transportation package – which our organizations strongly support – Governor Brown and a group of legislators are proposing a repeal of the Clean Fuels Program and attempting to replace it with a package of proposals that will cost taxpayers significant money and fails to guarantee cleaner air.

The Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Climate Solutions and Oregon Environmental Council issue the following statement, in response to this proposal:

“The Clean Fuels program is the most effective and proven way to address climate change, safeguard clean air, and support new and innovative Oregon businesses and local jobs. Oregon lawmakers and the public have vetted this program over six years.

The Clean Fuels Program guarantees that, for the first time in Oregon’s history, the oil industry will be held accountable for cleaning up their act. Based on media reports, though, it is clear that big oil is fighting for an “EZ Pass” package: the oil industry will be let off the hook while taxpayers foot the bill.

This backroom deal amounts to an EZ Pass for Big Oil and a toll road for taxpayers. The oil industry is shifting its responsibilities and costs on to taxpayers–in other words, business as usual.

Oregonians deserves transparency: an opportunity to hear from the Governor and legislative leaders on how a closed-door deal–with no hearings, no input from the public, and negotiated in secret–serves Oregonians better than the law of the land. 

Our legislators need to uphold Oregon’s history of fearlessly tackling difficult problems, transparently and with public input. The Clean Fuels Program should not be repealed in a backroom deal.”