Oregon House passes clean energy bill

House Bill 2186 tackles the low-hanging fruit of the state’s global warming pollution.

SALEM, OR – The Oregon House of Representatives today passed the first climate change bill of the session with a 32-28 vote. House Bill 2186, introduced as part of the governor’s healthy climate package, authorizes the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission to adopt common-sense, cost-effective strategies that will not only reduce the state’s global warming emissions but also will spur local innovation and business opportunities, and save Oregonians money.

“House Bill 2186 is a no-brainer,” said OLCV Legislative Affairs Director Evan Manvel. “By focusing on the low-hanging fruit, the bill will help pave the way to a green energy economy that will create local jobs and save precious dollars for Oregon’s working families.”

House Bill 2186 is one of several bills that are part of the Oregon Conservation Network’s Priorities for a Healthy Oregon. The OCN is a coalition of more than 40 Oregon environmental groups.

Key components of HB 2186 include:

•    Requirements, with exemptions, for low rolling-resistance tires that will improve gas mileage, saving consumers hundreds of dollars.
•    Restricts unnecessary idling for heavy trucks and ships docked at ports.
•    Heavy-duty, long-haul trucks could be required to improve truck aerodynamics –which would translate into as much as $2 billion annual savings. Rules allow phase-in, as well as exemptions for lack of financing. Upfront costs would be financed with fuel savings.
•    A low-carbon fuel standard, similar to the one in California supported by oil and utility companies. The bill includes a variety of renewable fuels, including a boost to locally produced cellulosic biomass instead of corn-based ethanol.
•    Requires substitutes, when available, for products containing high-potency greenhouse gases, like refrigerants.

These components are proven strategies that have been studied for decades. If signed into law, the rules adopted under this bill won’t take effect in until July 2011.

Comments

[Aaron]

I see that this climate bill focused primarily on transportation. That makes sense since transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gases in Oregon.
Sad it is then that this bill focuses solely on low-hanging fruit in the auto transportation arena. There is NO mention of intercity (commuter) rail, light rail, bus, or bicycle transportation that I see.
Automobiles will only be around for another year or two. Beyond that it will be necessary to use non-oil based transportation. It would be nice if our politicians realized that.

[d]

Are you kidding? The trucking industry has been seen and used by government as a cash cow and passage of this bill is no different. In LaLaLand the implementation of these ideals appears oh so noble, but a reality check, please! These boutique fuels actually emit lower emissions at the nano-second they are measured, but fuel milage drops SIGNIFICANTLY, which results is higher fuel consumption! And the crap blended into these fuels increase wear and tear on the engine, which results in lower engine useage life.
As for those 'super single' low resistence rolling tires, they require all new rims on all axles. Their usage life is a fraction of what a dualed axled tire gets. And in anything but cool, dry road conditions, they are a hazard, hyper-sensitive to hydroplane on wet roads and on the slightest snow dusted roads, they spin out. Western states require carrying and using tire chains, imposing yet another expensive purchase burden placed on the truck owner.
This mentality that the trucking industry is the sole evil polluter in the country is so misdirected. And so is the government's attitude of taxing this group to the hilt...do you realize in addition to paying several types of annual road taxes, plus fuel taxes, a truck is charged for each and every mile run in each and every state with Oregon being one of the highest @ .1316/ mile? And surely you can come to the conclusion that all these funds ARE NOT going for highway maintenace as originally designated, so the trucking industry gets taxed more...
I challenge your baseless assertation that 'transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gases in Oregon.' Sounds emotionally pleasing to the misinformed but that's a total falsehood. Do some factual research, draw some factual conclusions and stop parroting the inane drivel!