[5]
By Oregonians for Food and Shelter [6],
After the Oregon Court of Appeals invalidated [7] the Environmental Quality Commission’s 2021 rules establishing Oregon’s Climate Protection Program, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality started working on an updated rule to reduce carbon emissions. Following a rulemaking advisory committee process with various stakeholders this spring, DEQ is now accepting formal comment on the proposed new rule [8]. The new rule imposes significant carbon reduction goals and hands off potentially billions of dollars in revenue to community groups with little oversight. This program could have significant impacts on timber and agricultural industries in Oregon.
DEQ is asking for public comment on the proposed rules. Anyone can submit comments and questions about this rulemaking by email, regular mail, or at the public hearing.
- Submit comments by email: [email protected] [9]
- By mail: Oregon DEQ, Attn: Nicole Singh, 700 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 600, Portland, Oregon 97232-4100
- At the public hearing: 3:20 – 5:20 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024: Join by Zoom [10]
Comment deadline: DEQ will only consider comments on the proposed rules received by 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.
Important points for commenting:
- The program will generate billions dollars in fees that will be handed over to third-parties including local community groups, with little or no government accountability or oversight.
- Oregon-based timber companies in particular are at risk based on this new rule. Production and any associated emissions will simply be outsourced to other places, costing Oregon jobs and failing to meet any global carbon reduction goals.
- Oregon consumers and businesses will experience steep increases in energy costs as utilities and fuel suppliers will have to purchase “compliance instruments.”
- There’s still time to create a program that is within DEQ’s authority and better aligns with other states where market principals can support carbon-reduction.
More information on this rulemaking, including the draft rules, can be found on the Climate Protection Program 2024 rulemaking website. [8]