CUB Legislative Agenda 2021: A Mid-Session Report
Posted on April 23, 2021 by Samuel Pastrick
Tags, Energy, Telecommunications, General Interest
CUB is hard at work during the remote 2021 Oregon legislative session, which has reached the halfway point. Most, but unfortunately not all, of our priorities are moving through the legislative process. Below is a summary of five of CUB’s priority bills, with updates on where they stand with just over two months left in the 2021 session. You can get involved by participating in CUB action alerts on the bills that are still in motion; visit our Action Alerts page to learn about these campaigns and join our email list to receive campaign updates!
HB 2698 - Oregon Right to Repair Act. This legislation sought to empower Oregon consumers with the ability to fix their consumer electronics. CUB fought hard for this bill because it would have reduced waste and resource usage during manufacturing while also helping consumers save money. After two public hearings before the House Committee on Business and Labor, the bill died without getting a vote in the full House. While disappointed, CUB remains committed to the fair repair movement. We will work with the Oregon coalition leading up to the 2022 legislative session to determine a path we hope will ultimately lead to legislative success.
HB 2475 - Oregon Energy Affordability Act. Too many Oregonians face the choice of paying their energy bills or buying other necessities. CUB supports this bill because it will reduce energy costs for customers with low incomes, and give historically underrepresented communities more of a voice in the energy utility regulation process. After leaving the House Committee on Energy and Environment, the bill passed through the full House with bipartisan support. Thanks to folks who responded to CUB’s action alert before that House vote. After action in the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment, the bill will head toward a full vote in the Senate.
HB 2021 - 100% Clean Electricity. After intense negotiation, CUB and a diverse group of stakeholders developed HB 2021, which would require Oregon’s largest electric utilities to serve customers with 100 percent clean electricity by 2040. With leadership from environmental justice advocates, this bill is backed by the largest and most diverse coalition to have ever supported clean energy legislation in Oregon. HB 2021 was voted out of the House Committee on Energy and Environment with a referral to the House Committee on Revenue, to allow stakeholders to finetune targeted policy details. The bill will then move into the budget process. Given the relatively late introduction of this proposal, CUB is cautiously optimistic about HB 2021’s legislative success.
HB 3141 – Increase Low-Income Weatherization Funding. Oregon has a long history of energy efficiency leadership. A critical milestone was 1999 legislation that created a 3 percent surcharge on Portland General Electric and Pacific Power customers’ bills. Dubbed the “public purpose charge”, these funds are dedicated to energy efficiency investments, weatherization projects for households with low incomes, targeted renewable energy investments, and school energy improvements. HB 3141 meets the goals of the original legislation while increasing funding for low-income weatherization programs. HB 3141 had a successful public hearing and work session before the House Committee on Energy and Environment. The bill is now moving through the budget process.
HB 2165 - Transportation Electrification Package. HB 2165 dedicates funding for investments by Oregon’s major electric utilities in transportation electrification programs and infrastructure, with an emphasis on low- and moderate-income customers. The bill will also improve the PUC’s ability to evaluate utility transportation electrification investments, and expand Oregon’s existing electric vehicle rebate programs. HB 2165 received unanimous support from the House Committee on Energy and Environment, and then moved to the Joint Transportation Committee. After leaving Joint Transportation, HB 2165 will move into the budget process. Though slow, this step should yield strong support in each legislative chamber.
Again, be sure to sign up for CUB’s email list so you can receive action alerts on the campaigns that remain active as they move through the legislature in the coming weeks. With your support, CUB is ready and committed to moving our priority bills to the finish line.
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09/05/22 | 0 Comments | CUB Legislative Agenda 2021: A Mid-Session Report