▴ MENU/TOP
CUB logo

CUB’s 2024 Legislative Priorities

Posted on February 8, 2024 by Charlotte Shuff, Sarah Wochele and
Tags,  Energy,  General Interest

Oregon Legislature Building at Sunset

The 2024 session has officially started at the Oregon State Legislature. While it may be a short session (just 35 days), the impact of these sessions can be big for Oregon. This year, CUB will be working on several exciting bills.

Learn more about what we’re working on in this session below!

Top Priorities for 2024

Right to Repair (SB 1596)

The Right to Repair Act (SB 1596) expands your ability to repair your electronics either yourself or through a third party. Repairing home and personal electronics is less expensive than buying new ones and is better for the environment because it reduces e-waste and helps lessen demand for new electronics. Repaired, or refurbished, phones, tablets, and computers are more affordable, helping to expand access to the internet. Right to Repair would require manufacturers to allow access to necessary parts, tools, and repair manuals.

CUB’s Position: We have supported Right to Repair for many years and proudly support it again this year.

Climate Budget: Healthy Homes and Heat Pumps for Renters

While not a bill, there are many items in this year’s Climate Budget request that relate to home energy.

  • Healthy Homes Program: $15M to support affordable energy bills and resilient housing through whole-home energy and weatherization upgrades.
  • Charge Ahead Electric Vehicle Rebates: $20M to support equitable access to electrical vehicles for low- and moderate-income Oregonians.
  • Worker Climate Fund: $9M to provide compensation for farm workers who lose income due to wildfire smoke and extreme heat
  • Solar + Storage Rebate Program: $10M to increase access to renewable energy for low- and moderate-income Oregonians
  • Oregon Rental Home Heat Pump Program: $5 million to help Oregonians install life-saving, efficient heat pumps in rental, manufactured, or recreational vehicle homes.

CUB’s Position: This budget builds on the many successes from last session’s Climate Resilience Package. We are proud to support more funding for the programs we helped pass last year.

Additional Bills CUB is Supporting

Battery Energy Storage Systems Permitting Pathways (HB 4015)

As we move forward with our state climate goals, utilities need more options for the energy grid. HB 4015 makes it easier to build battery storage by integrating battery storage system permits with existing renewable energy projects. Battery Energy Storage Systems allow renewable energy to be stored and used later. This increases resilience, helps prevent blackouts, and makes renewable energy more available when we need it.

Oregon Regional Energy Market Update (SB 1581)

While Oregon has made great strides in adding renewable energy, we cannot do it alone. Utilities need to consider joining a regional energy market along with neighboring states. By pooling resources with Washington, Montana, and beyond, we can all move toward a clean energy future together. SB 1581 requires our largest for-profit electric utilities to report regional market planning to the Legislature.

Stay Up to Date on Oregon Utility Issues

CUB will continue to advocate for people in Oregon on major utility issues. Sign up for the CUB email list for the latest updates, action alerts, and news on policies that affect the utilities your home relies on.

Donate to CUB

To keep up with CUB, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

08/22/24  |  4 Comments  |  CUB’s 2024 Legislative Priorities

Comments

  • 1.With the cost of food so high, and now electricity going up so high, seniors are having a difficult time paying their bills. I actually turned my the thermostat down to 68, and off other days completely off.

    Patricia Lapidus | February 2024

  • 2.I can't believe PGE wants another price hike, in order to double their profit margin. Electricity is a necessity. It's not right to increase rates up to 40% in the last few years, arguing they need it to invest in upgrades, when they really want more profits for their shareholders. They are forcing people to choose between heating/cooling and other necessities like food and medication. There have been many health studies that show how living in a cold home has serious immediate and long term health effects. People have a right to electricity, and it should be affordable. Not just for the lowest income, but for the middle class as well. There are so many people who technically make more than the poverty line, but get no help with these costs. The take home after paying exorbitant amounts for utilities and other things like healthcare, food, housing makes even "middle class" people have effectively a poverty level amount of income after bills. If improvements are needed, then the government needs to subsidize those improvements, and not let these companies increase their profits claiming they are using it all for improvement costs.

    Marie C | March 2024

  • 3.Marie C,

    Thank you for taking the time to comment. We truly appreciate you sharing your perspective and experiences. CUB is working to push back against these price increases exactly for the reasons you have shared. Energy price increases affect everybody, especially those who are already struggling. You are absolutely right when you say that profits should not come before people. Thank you!

    Abigail Parnall | March 2024

  • 4.Patricia and Marie,

    I'd also like to encourage you to share your experiences with regulators here:

    https://oregoncub.org/take-action/action-alerts/tell-regulators-your-experience-with-pge/2946

    We will share your comment with regulators in our efforts to push back against these price increases.

    Thank you again for commenting!

    Abigail Parnall | March 2024

Comment Form

« Back

  • ©2025 Oregon CUB