Please see Climate Emergency Overview here.

Jump to a topic:

• Environmental Justice Bills

• Climate Priority Advocacy Groups

• Climate Priorities with League Testimony, League Endorsement

• Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package

• Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package

• Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment

• Climate Treasury Investment Bills

• Natural and Working Lands

• Other Priorities

• Other Climate Bills: New

• Priority Bills That Died In Policy Committee

• Transportation

• Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns

• Highlights of House and Senate Chamber Votes

• Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust

The Federal admin (executive branch of government) response to Judicial (judiciary branch of government) court orders is at best case worrisome/concerning/questionable. News:  ‘Judge orders federal agencies to release billions of dollars from two Biden-era initiatives’– OPB 4/14/25. (These 2+ initiatives address a number of energy/climate/carbon/ emergency management and community resiliency portfolios.) 

Like with many funding and policy issues affecting many state agencies, the League is very concerned; it’s unclear at this point if the Trump administration will respectively/lawfully respond to any Court orders. The normal situation would have DOJ step in, but with the current situation it’s unclear which federal law enforcement agency will enforce the court orders. Related, the Leagues Judiciary Study and new national position is scheduled to be approved prior to the 2025 June LWV Council meeting.

You can track effects of federal cuts in Oregon through the Impact Project. See their interactive map. Many of the cuts listed affect climate and environmental concerns.

Environmental Justice Bills

• HB2548: establishes an agriculture workforce labor standards board, League Testimony. Work Session was held 4/9 passed 4/3, with no amendments, no recommendation and referred to House Rules. 


Climate Priority Advocacy Groups

For the first time, this year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities,  Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities. OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the capitol. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony.

Another statewide organization is also advocating for many Climate / Energy Legislative bills. SEE Consolidated Oregon Indivisible Network (COIN) resource page. News: The Ashland Chronicle: Oregon Indivisible Network Update 4/15/25 .

Climate Priorities with League Testimony with League Endorsement and Still Alive

HB 3170: Community Resilience Hubs and networks: Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony





Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update

By Nikki Mandell

Four CEI bills are part of a package which was the subject of public hearings February 27 and March 6 in the House Energy Management, General Government, and Veterans Committee: OPB: ‘Portland councilors discuss safety of storing oil in an industrial hub sitting on a quake zone’, 3/18/25. 

See CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis (The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.) CEI energy storage transition plan
,  The Bigger Picture: ASCE's ( American Society of Civil Engineers, founded in 1852 ) ,  Oregon C- grade Infrastructure Report Card.

Three of the four CEI Hub-related bills introduced in January are still alive (listed below). They passed through the House Committee on Emergency Management on Tues., April 8. All three have costs associated with them, so they’ve been referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means (aka Budget Committee), where they’ll be further assigned to a Ways & Means subcommittee. Then, the very uncertain budget situation, in combination legislators’ different priorities and horse-trading will take over. The outcome of Ways & Means’ work may not be known until the last few days of the legislative session (targeted to end June 18, but constitutionally will end no later than June 29)

• HB 2152: calls on OR Dept. of Energy to develop a plan for geographically diverse storage of fuels for disaster response. 

• HB 2949: calls for a risk bond requirement for all bulk fuel storage facilities that are currently regulated by DEQs Fuel Tank Seismic Stability program (SB 1567, 2022)

• HB 3450: calls on OR Dept. of Energy to develop a transition plan for the CEI Hub to ensure the state’s “energy resiliency”

A bit more info about what is in the versions of these bills that have now passed on to the Ways & Means Committee:

• HB 2152 passed through Rep. Tran’s committee with the -1 amendment. The amendment expanded the list of required stakeholders to be consulted to include federally recognized tribes and labor (passed with all 4 Dems voting Aye, and all 3 Repubs voting nay)

• HB 2949 passed through Rep. Tran’s committee as the -5 amendment. This bill is significantly different from what was introduced in January. The initial bill called for a study of the viability of a risk bond requirement. At the strong urging of Multnomah County, with support from community advocates, and weeks of back and forth involving the county, community advocates, and industry lobbyists, the bill now calls on DEQ to establish a risk bond regulation. It’s not a perfect bill, but it avoids the years-long delay of a study bill, has strong provisions for determining the level of financial responsibility, allows DEQ to fine, suspend or close down operations for non-compliance, and gives local govt.s and community members a combined 2/3 representation on the rules-making advisory committee. On the not-perfect side, the bill sets a cap on the level of risk bonding that can be required during the first three years, makes it possible for the rules to allow (or disallow) self-insurance; and preempts local govt.s from passing a separate risk bond requirement (passed through the committee unanimously!)

• HB 3450 passed through Rep. Tran’s committee with the -1 amendment. There is a more comprehensive -2 amendment posted in OLIS that incorporates the public testimony of community supporters. Rep. Tran could not muster enough support on the committee to bring this -2 amendment forward. In order to keep the concept alive, she asked for a vote on the -1 amendment. (passed through the committee with all 4 Dems voting Aye- one expressing deep reservations; and all 3 Repubs voting nay).

Rep. Tran has committed to doing what she can to amend the CEI Hub Transition Plan bill (HB 3450) to be closer to the more comprehensive -2 amendment version. I'll be meeting with her next week to explore the options.

The big lift going forward will be to advocate with members of the Ways & Means sub- and full committee, and with Democratic caucus leadership for CEI Hub legislation.  

Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package

• HB 3081A  (League testimony) work session held 4/8, adopted -1 amendment, in JWM, creates an active navigator to help access energy efficiency incentives all in one place


,‘on stop shopping’. 

• SB 88 (League testimony) work session was 3/24,  limits the ability of utility companies to charge ratepayers for lobbying, litigation costs, fines, marketing, industry fees, and political spending. 
Moved to Sen Rules on 3/28. 


In addition to our testimony, LWVOR joined the Oregon Conservation Network, coordinated through the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, in sign-on letters supporting both HB 3081 and SB 88.  PH  3/4 3/4 

Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment

At this point in the session, it is unclear if SJR 28 will move out of Sen Rules. SJR 28  proposed -1 amendment, Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment (ERA) Senate Joint Resolution -  with referral to the 2026 ballot, public hearing was 3/26. The League provided support with comments testimony. The bill is in Senate Rules, so the Legislative first chamber deadlines are not applicable. A Work Session is not yet scheduled. The -1 amendment is a partial rewrite and may address  the League’s concerns. 

LWVUS has provided guidance since over 26 states have - or are in the process of voting on green / environmental rights constitutional topics or initiatives. These usually take the form of a legislative referral to the people. The New Mexico green amendment campaign focuses on racial justice. 

Climate Treasury Investment Bills

• SB 681:  Dead: Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium, Senate Finance and Revenue, PH 3/19. testimony. Sen Golden.




• HB 2200  -1 , work session was 4/8, bill was requested by previous Treasury Sec Tobias and supported by Treasurer Steiner, related to ESG investing, identified as the compromise bill. League – NO Comment, could move to the floor, no JWM required.
 (still in H EMGGV, awaiting transfer to desk)

• HB 2966A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force, Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), League Testimony, Rep Gamba, Senator,Golden, Frederick, Rep Andersen, Evans
.

Historically, since 2009 Public banking policy topic has been included in many Leg sessions, (go here and then use Control F to search for ‘bank’. ) 22 bills have died in committee over the past 16 years. 

Natural and Working Lands

• HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony






• HB 3103A – work session 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest, , League Testimony,  new adopted  -5 amendment.



Other Priorities 

• HB 2566A: Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects, Work Session was 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay. At the request of Governor Tina Kotek (H CEE), DOE presentation








• HB 3365A:  4/17 passed House 32/23, work session was 4/9, moved to floor with adopted amendment -4. climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, House Cm Educ, PH was 3/12, League Testimony ,  NO Fiscal noted, Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald, Rep Andersen, Gamba, Lively, Neron, Senator Patterson, Pham, Taylor. 





• SB 688A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, $500K fiscal, moved to JWM , League testimony, Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, 






• SB 827A: Solar and Storage Rebate, SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moves to House 3/4

 first reading.
 referred to H CEE 3/10

, PH 4/22 


• HB 3546A, -3 the POWER Act, work session was 4/8, bipartisan vote, moved , House vote 4/21. The bill requires the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. (data centers and other high-volume users). These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. NO Fiscal, on its way to the floor. The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter.    






• Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV, Citizens Utility Board CUB presentation here.






• SB 1143A : -3, moved to JWM, with bipartisan vote, PH was 3/19, Work session was 4/7 SEE, PUC established a pilot program that allows each natural gas Co to develop a utility-scale thermal energy network (TEN) pilot project to provide heating and cooling services to customers. Senator Lieber, Sollman, Representative Levy B, Senator Smith DB, Representative Andersen, Marsh. Example: Introduction to the MIT Thermal Energy Networks (MITTEN) Plan for Rapid and Cost-Effective Campus Decarbonization.  



Other Climate Bills: New

• HB 3609  work session 4/8, moved to JWM. The measure requires electric companies to develop and file with the Oregon Public Utility Commission a distributed power plant program for the procurement of grid services from customers of the electric company who enroll in the program. H CEE,  PH 3/11


• HB 3653 work session 4/8 passed unanimous, House vote 51 - 9. Allows authorized state agencies to enter into energy performance contracts without requiring a competitive procurement if the authorized state agency follows rules that the Attorney General adopts, negotiates a performance guarantee, and enters into the contract with a qualified energy service company that the ODOE prequalifies and approves.
.

Priority Bills that died in policy committee

Some of these related to funding may appear in the end of session reconciliation (“Christmas tree”) bill. 

• HB 3477: Update to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals. League testimony . House Climate, Energy, and Environment (CEE), Sponsored by Rep GAMBA, Sen Frederick, Golden, Patterson, Pham K, Taylor






• SB 54: Work Session was cancelled. The bill required landlords provide cooling for residential units. The League endorsed and added our name to a OJTA Oregon Justice Transition Alliance, sign-on letter.
Energy Trust of Oregon neutral testimony includes a presentation slide deck posted to OLIS on March 19, 2025. “Energy Trust of Oregon does not support or oppose SB 54, and this is in accordance with Energy Trust’s contract with the Oregon Public Utility Commission which prohibits Energy Trust from lobbying. We are a neutral party per agreement with PUC.”


• SB 1187 new Climate cost recovery Liability interagency bill, PH 4/7, Sen. Golden, Senate Energy and Environment 

(Replaces SB 679 and SB 682:  




• SB 680: Climate Science/Greenwashing, Sen. Golden and Manning, moved to Sen Judiciary, no recommendation, S NRWF PH was 2/26,  sponsors: Campos, Frederick, Gorsek, Patterson, Prozanski,  Taylor






Transportation

This ODOT video gives a good short overview of the history and current status /challenges with Transportation  funding  and management strategic issues. 

Oregon Democrats unveil $1.9 billion transportation funding plan

The plan includes raising the state gas tax to 60 cents per gallon, higher DMV fees, higher bike taxes and more. | *Oregon Capital Chronicle (OCC). ODOT answers to budget presentation questions an 18-page document dated March 13. ODOT budget presentation package detail materials can be found Here.  Oregon transit agencies warn lawmakers of service cuts without a funding hike – OPB 3/28/25. 

The League is concerned with federal guidelines: “McLain and Gorsek said they’re confident in Oregon’s ability to continue to receive federal transportation grants, despite directives from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that federal funding should go toward states with high marriage and birth rates, no vaccine or mask mandates and that are committed to working with the federal government to enforce Trump’s immigration policy — all areas that don’t apply to Oregon.” See OCC article. KGW NEWS: What it could cost you to rescue Oregon's transportation funding | The Story | April 4, 2025

Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns

In order to stay on track, the Legislature must prioritize investments for vital environmental justice, climate and community protection programs (CPP). Without additional appropriations this session, the following existing successful climate, CPP and environmental justice programs may run out of funding: 

• Community Renewable Energy Grant Program (ODOE)





• Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE)





• Community Heat Pump Program (ODOE)





• Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program/Charge Ahead (DEQ)





• Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Rebates + Infrastructure Grants (DEQ)





• Community Resilience Hubs and Networks (ODHS)





• Climate Change Worker Relief Fund (DAS)





• Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program (ODOE)





• Natural & Working Lands Fund (OWEB)



See Natural Resources  Legislative Reports for budget league testimonies including climate topics in over 12 agencies.

Highlights of House and Senate Chamber Votes

By a vote of 41-14, the House passed HB 3874 (Helm), which would increase the threshold for siting and approval of a wind energy facility at the local level from 50 MW to 100 MW of average electric generating capacity, before the facility must obtain a site certificate from EFSC. Either the county or the developer could elect to defer regulatory authority to EFSC. Wind turbines have a relatively small footprint, and technological improvements have more than tripled the generating capacity of a single wind tower. Farmers and other landowners have found that wind facilities can provide additional income while maintaining the overall productivity of their lands. 

Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust

Here is one example of how to track ODEQ Climate Protection Program cases.

Basically, there are a number of active federal lawsuits, Climate Litigation Updates (April 10, 2025)

Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 85 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon.

Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance, Revenue, Natural Resources, and Social Policy report sections.