Oregon Senate Walkout Risks Critical Utility Legislation
Posted on June 13, 2023 by Jennifer Hill-Hart
Tags, Energy, General Interest
We are nearing the end of the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session. Normally, this would be around the time during the session that we would see important bills in the Oregon Capitol being debated over by our lawmakers. Instead, Republican lawmakers have refused to perform their public duty, allowing hundreds of bills to stack up in the Senate chamber.
This week we’ve heard that those Senators may finally return to work. Each day that passes, they directly contribute to the longest walk-out in Oregon history and allow hundreds of important bills to die. This includes many bills that are important for Oregon’s utilities.
Critical Federal Funding at Risk
Due to this walkout, $60 million in federal funding hangs in the balance. The Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act’s funding is currently sitting idle. Without lawmakers to vote on where the funding goes, many rural infrastructure projects are now stalled throughout Oregon.
In a press release sent out June 6th from Oregon Democrats, Representative Gomberg spoke on this issue stating, “Structures like Big Creek Dams in Newport need federal funding to support the industries we rely on. We cannot leave rural Oregon behind.” Representative Gomberg represents the central Oregon coast, from Lincoln County to Western Benton County.
“Structures like Big Creek Dams in Newport need federal funding to support the industries we rely on. We cannot leave rural Oregon behind.” - Rep Gomberg
With the walkout, we’re losing access to vital funding for programs that specifically help Oregonians transition to clean energy and help keep our energy bills affordable.
The Inflation Reduction Act is aimed to help everyday Americans transition to clean energy in their everyday lives.
The act covers support for:
- Transitioning to solar power
- Making your appliances more energy efficient (electric heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, etc.)
- Investing in electric vehicles
Read More: New Rebate Available for Home Energy Efficiency, Solar, and Electric Vehicles (CUB Blog)
Critical Utility Legislation At Risk
Here at CUB, we’re concerned about crucial policies dying during this 2023 legislation. Due to the walkout, no bills are able to advance. The future of these crucial bills remains bleak.
Right to Repair (SB 542)
Repairing items you already own is less expensive and better for the environment. This bill expands your ability to repair consumer electronic equipment by requiring manufacturers to allow access to parts, tools, and repair manuals so you can fix what you already own.
Investments in Broadband Internet (HB 3201)
Oregon needs better broadband internet for rural communities which requires more infrastructure throughout the state. This bill will help Oregon maximize its access to millions of federal broadband investment funds by amending outdated and limiting language in the broadband statutes. It also gives the Oregon Broadband Office and the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council the ability to keep our Broadband Fund requirements modernized.
Climate Reslience Package
Legislative champions have moved to address these important bills in the House with a strategic, comprehensive “Climate Resilience Package” (HB 3409 & HB 3630). This package brings together and provides $100 million in funding for more than a dozen priority bills related to climate action, including CUB priority bills like the Building Resilience Package (below) and the Oregon Energy Strategy bill.
The Building Resilience Package
Healthy Heating and Cooling for All (SB 868) will align our energy efficiency programs with our state climate goals, accelerate heat pump deployment, and ramp up other energy efficiency efforts like weatherizing and retrofitting existing homes.
Build Smart from the Start (SB 869) will update Oregon’s base building code so that all new buildings are constructed to be more efficient and resilient from the start.
Building Performance Standards (SB 870) will improve the energy efficiency of large, energy-intensive commercial buildings through the adoption of a Building Performance Standard.
Smart State Buildings (SB 871) will help to reduce barriers for public buildings to be made more efficient and healthier.
CUB has been vocal this session on the importance of these bills. We hope the Republican Senators will return to participate in the democratic process and allow lawmakers to advocate for Oregonians, as their constituents trust them to do. It is time to stop the walkout and see these bills make it to the Governor’s Desk before the end of this legislative session.
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06/15/23 | 0 Comments | Oregon Senate Walkout Risks Critical Utility Legislation