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Climate Emergency

Legislative Report - Week of 5/19

Climate Emergency Team

 

Coordinator: Claudia Keith​

  • Efficient and Resilient Buildings: Bill Glassmire

  • Environmental Justice: Nancy Rosenberger

  • Environmental Rights Amendment: Claudia Keith

  • Natural Climate Solution - Forestry: Josie Koehne

  • CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers

  • Community Resilince & Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone 

  • Transportation: Claudia Keith

  • Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking,

  • Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith

  • Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources

Please see Climate Emergency Overview here.

Jump to a topic:


The current administration continues to dismantle/desecrate ~ five decades of climate, energy, environmental justice and sustainability policies and related budgeting.  See project 2025 for many of these preplanned executive branch and congressional politically focused directives/decisions. 


A very Unfavorable Revenue Economic Forecast was released 5/14 which could limit funding for climate emergency related bills and potentially existing climate/ Environmental Justice programs. Please refer to the Revenue and NR LR for details.


While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the federal level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. These climate/energy-related Trump admin policy and budget related executive orders if implemented would drastically affect  global  UN COP efforts in all fifty states, including Oregon’s climate-related legislation (policy and budget), state agencies, and community climate action plans/state statutes/ targeted outcomes.


Federal


US House targets big climate, clean energy rollbacks in budget proposal | Reuters


Energy Star program is on the chopping block, sources say | CNN


Science policy this week: May 12, 2025 - AIP.ORG (American Institute of Physics AIP.ORG )


How the Trump Administration Bakes Climate Denial into U.S. Policy | NRDC


Can states and cities lead on climate under Trump? » Yale Climate Connections


Oregon


 How the Pacific Northwest’s Dream of Green Energy Fell Apart — ProPublica. 5/12/25


EPA chief Zeldin faces bipartisan anger in Senate over funding freeze, grant cancellations – OPB 5/14/25


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.


Closed-door negotiations create hard feelings as the Oregon Capitol awaits a transportation bill – OPB


DEQ announces enforcement discretion for Oregon ACT for model years 2025 and 2026 - Grace period available for 2025 and 2026 model years (5/15/25) “Today, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Director Feldon issued a memo directing the agency to use its enforcement discretion for the Advanced Clean Trucks Rule. Effective immediately, DEQ will not pursue enforcement or issue penalties to manufacturers failing to meet zero-emissions vehicle sales targets for all Model Year 2025 and 2026 Class 2b-8 vehicles. This update does not affect Oregon’s Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus Rule….”


Current Week CE Action: 


This past week the League joined a number of organizations signing on to a Letter to support OSW Offshore wind Energy Roadmap, DLCD led study group. HB 3963. 

Transportation 


Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics



Transportation Package Priorities


(The League supports OCN and other statewide NGO budget priorities:)

  • Increase funding above 2017 levels for public transit

  • Increase funding above 2017 levels for a safe, complete multimodal system (i.e. GreatStreets, Safe Routes to School, Oregon Community Paths, and bike/ped both on-street and trails, etc.) 

  • Dedicated or increased revenue for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicle incentives, including for charging and purchasing of ZEVs (🡪 See NR LR for additional details) 


Please see Natural Resources Legislative  Report on Transportation


Energy Affordability  and Utility Accountability 


The League joined a coalition sign-on letter this past week requesting funding to support building resilience. The goal is to use affordable measures to  protect people from extreme weather.


One Stop Shop 2.0/Energy Efficiency Navigation 


(HB 3081): This bill would create a navigation program at ODOE to help Oregonians access federal, state, local, and utility energy efficiency incentives all in one place.


Get the Junk Out of Rates 


(SB 88): This bill would stop utilities from charging certain expenses like lobbying, advertising, association fees to customers.  Protecting Oregonians with Energy Responsibility (POWER Act) (HB 3546): This bill ensures Oregon households are not unfairly burdened by large energy users with grid and transmission costs.


Full Funding for Climate Resilience programs


Reinvesting the same amount as last biennium in three programs:

  • Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE), $30m

  • Community Heat Pump Deployment Program (ODOE), $15m

  • Community Resilience Hubs (OREM), $10m (House Bill 3170)



Disadvantaged Communities (aka Environmental Justice) Bills


HB 3170: Community Resilience Hubs and networks: Fiscal $10M

Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony





                   

 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 in House Rules. It is unclear why this bill is inactive.


Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update

By Claudia Keith


 

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.) See Climate Emergency April 28: CEI emergency management package update.


The Bigger Picture: ASCE's (American Society of Civil Engineers, founded in 1852), Oregon received a  C- grade Infrastructure Report Card.


Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment


At this point in the session, it is doubtful SJR 28 has enough support to 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. 


Oregon Treasury:  Oregon Divest/ Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates

 

By Claudia Keith 


  • SB 681:  May be still active: Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium, in Sen F&R, 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 chose not to comment, could move to the floor, no JWM required. (still in H EMGGV, still 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), fiscal: $1.3M ,  League Testimony, Rep Gamba, Senator,Golden, Frederick, Rep Andersen, Evans.



  • HB 2081A Directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to take certain actions to manage the risks of climate change to the Public Employees Retirement Fund. Passed House along party lines. WS Senate Finance & Rev is 5/21.  ( see HB 2200 )  PH is 5/19. At the request of:      (no sponsor: at the request of House Interim Committee on Revenue for Representative Nancy Nathanson)

 

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 mentioning Public and Bank have died in committee over the past 16 years. 

 

Divest Oregon The Pause Act would enact a 5-year moratorium on new Public Employees Retirement Fund (PER investments in new private fossil fuel funds.

March 2025 Fund Performance - Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund and graphics 

Published by Divest Oregon:

Executive Summary and Praise for Report

(see SB 681)  

Addressing the Risk of Climate Change:

A Comparison of US Pension Funds' Net Zero Plans – Jan 2025



Natural and Working Lands



Other Climate Bills


New


HB 3963 posted to OLIS 4/15, Rep Gomberg, House Rules. PH 5/19. Extends the deadline from Sept 1, 2025, to Jan 1, 2027, for the DLCD to draft and submit a report to the Legislative Assembly on the department's activities to develop an Offshore Wind Roadmap and its assessment of enforceable state policies related to offshore wind energy development off the Oregon coast. 


Existing

  • 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: climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, 4/21 moved to Sen Ed, 4/17 passed House 32/23, work session was 4/9, moved to floor with adopted amendment -4. House Cm Educ, WS 5/19 , League Testimony ,  NO Fiscal noted, Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald, 



  • SB 688A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, updated $974K 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. 5/15 House 2nd reading

  • HB 3546A, -3 the POWER Act, in Sen E&E , PH 4/30, 5/5, P WS was 5/14, moved with due pass. 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.   


  • HB 3189 in JWM. 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.  



  • 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 in Sen E&E, PH 4/28, WS was 5/5, 6-0 vote. House vote was 51 - 9. Senate 5/15 vote passed, 26 ,1-3. 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.




Environmental Justice Bills


HB 3170: Community Resilience Hubs and networks: Fiscal $10M

Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony







Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee and Chamber Votes


By a 29-1, the Senate passed HB 3874 A, increasing the threshold for siting and approval of a wind energy facility at the county 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. Under the bill as amended by the Senate, a county seeking to issue a permit for a facility of the specified size would have to require the applicant to provide a bonded decommissioning plan to restore the site to a useful, nonhazardous condition.


HB 3336, requiring IOUs to file strategic plans with the PUC to use cost-effective grid enhancing technologies (GETs), was scheduled for a possible Work Session in Senate E&E but the WS was postponed until Monday 5/19. Process notes:


The base bill passed the House by a comfortable margin in April. Testimony in House CE&E had been overwhelmingly supportive; PGE was neutral. Shortly before the Senate E&E public hearing 2 days ago, Rep. Gamba posted a -2 amendment that he said was intended to "streamline" the siting of GETs for the IOUs. This stoked opposition from cities and counties that complained of not having had enough time to study the amendment to ensure that it did not encroach on their local siting authority. OMEU (consumer-owned utilities) also criticized the lack of prior consultation and said they were afraid the amendment could make the GETs siting provisions apply to them too. Sen. Brock Smith chewed out Gamba on their behalf. Rather than drop the -2 amendment, Gamba promised to bring the parties together to spin out a -3 amendment that would meet all concerns, as soon as LC could get around to it. As of 5/14 LC had not gotten around to it.


Senate E&E voted 3-2 to move HB 3546 A-7, the POWER Act, to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. This bill was the top priority on the OCN Hot List this week. It would direct the PUC to provide for a separate classification of service for data centers and crypto mining facilities. PUC would have to require IOUs to enter into a 10-year contract with these large energy users to pay a minimum amount or percentage for the term of the contract, which could include a charge for excess demand. Rates for this customer class would have to be proportional to the costs of serving them. (Currently, these users are classified as industrial customers, which pay the lowest rates for electricity.) The bill would apply only to large users that apply for service on or after the effective date of the act, or that make significant investments or incur costs after the effective date that could result in increased costs or risks to other retail customers.


Rep. Marsh described the -A7 amendment as technical to ensure against double-charging direct access customers that contract independently with an electric service provider, and to clarify that the large energy users can pursue alternative pathways to compliance through green power or renewable energy tariffs. The committee declined to adopt Sen. Brock Smith's -A6 amendment that would have defined "large energy user" by excluding a long list of specific industries other than data centers and crypto operations. He and Sen. Robinson, in explaining their "nay" votes, said they don’t oppose making large users pay their proportionate share of costs, but "singling out" data centers and crypto centers in statute could have adverse economic consequences.


SB 685 A, requiring a natural gas utility to notify all customers and the PUC if the utility plans to increase the amount of hydrogen blended with natural gas, was scheduled for a Possible Work Session in House CE&E 5/12. House CEE Chair Lively carried over the PWS until Tuesday 5/20. This is a Bill of Support on the OCN Hot List.



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  May 15 Updates 

 

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


There are no recent press releases or media from Our Children’s Trust.





VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:  What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ?  You can help. Volunteers are needed.  The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring.  If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org.  Training will be offered.



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




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