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Climate Emergency

Legislative Report - Week of 5/26

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 League is very concerned about the recent announcement from Legislative leadership. The Transportation Cap and Trade idea has not had any public review including a comprehensive OCN perspective. We understand Oregon’s environmental community was not consulted. See: ‘Oregon lawmakers are now considering a ‘cap-and-trade’ program to fund roads, wildfire prevention’. “…. Among the issues under discussion, according to the memo, is scrapping the state’s existing emissions reduction program (see CPP Climate Protection Plan) and replacing it with a cap-and-trade system now favored by some industry and utility players….” |   OPB





See also Transportation in the Natural Resources Legislative Reports.



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


“In May 2025, the Trump administration and Congress are engaged in a budget process that proposes significant changes to funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), particularly concerning energy and climate-related programs. 


Key Proposals & Potential Impacts:


  • DOE Budget Cuts: The administration proposed substantial cuts to the DOE budget, including rescinding billions allocated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and reducing funding for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).

  • EPA Budget Cuts: The proposed budget also calls for deep cuts to the EPA, with a focus on eliminating climate change-related programs and regulations.

  • Climate and Renewable Energy Impacts: These budget proposals would significantly reduce funding for climate research, renewable energy development, and energy efficiency programs. The administration's justification for the cuts is to prioritize "American energy dominance" by focusing on fossil fuel research and nuclear energy, according to Science | AAAS.

  • Congressional Action: Congress is currently deliberating on the budget proposals, and the final outcome will depend on negotiations between the House and Senate. Notably, the House has introduced a reconciliation bill that aims to repeal or amend several provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes significant climate-related funding. 


Points of Contention and Uncertainty:


  • Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): The proposed reconciliation bill threatens to rescind unobligated funds from various IRA sections, potentially impacting climate programs implemented by the DOE, EPA, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), according to Columbia University.

  • Energy Star Program: The EPA is planning to end the Energy Star program, which certifies the energy efficiency of appliances.

  • Clean Energy Tax Credits: The House reconciliation bill aims to eliminate or vehicles, potentially slowing the adoption of clean energy technologies. curtail clean energy tax credits for electric vehicles and other alternative fuel 


Overall, the proposed budget and legislative actions in May 2025 indicate a significant shift in federal priorities regarding energy and climate change, with potential consequences for renewable energy development, environmental regulations, and scientific research. “ ref: AI:  Google summary 5/24/25



Oregon


 Oregon State University study finds more than 3,500 animal species threatened by climate change - OPB


Current Week CE Action


The League took no specific CE Actions this week.



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) 



News release:  Oregon Department of Transportation needs structural changes to increase transparency, better manage projects, new report says - oregonlive.com


Please see Natural Resources Legislative Report on Transportation


Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability 


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


* One Stop Shop 2.0 HB 3081, Resilience hubs HB 3170 And Doe budget : existing programs: Lowering utility bills and increasing comfort and safety– Reinvest in the Oregon Department of Energy’s Heat Pumps incentives- $30 million for Rental Home Heat Pump and $15 million for Community Heat Pump Deployment Programs. 


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)




Environmental Justice Bills. (disadvantaged communities)


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.


Natural and Working Lands



Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update

By Claudia Keith


  • HB 2151: Testimony; appears dead




  • HB 2152: Testimony; work session held 4/8 , passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) -2 amendments, Staff Measure Summary (SMS). $1M+ fiscal




  • HB 2949: Testimony; work session held 4/8 , passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS. Fiscal is not available, will be completed if the bill gets a hearing in JWM NR SC. 




  • HB 3450A  Testimony, work session held, 4/8  passed adopted amendment -1.  fiscal >1M$. referred to JWM 4/11




 

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 


  • 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 5/28. At the request of:      (no sponsor: at the request of House Interim Committee on Revenue for Representative Nancy Nathanson)


     

    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)


 


    Resources:


    • 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.







Oregon Public Financing / BANK


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.






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. 


Other Climate Bills


HB 3963 posted to OLIS 4/15, Rep Gomberg, House Rules. PH was 5/19. WS 5/29. 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. 


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, PH 5/7, WS was 5/21 passed, awaiting transfer. 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 , House passed, 5/20. 


HB 3546A, -3 the POWER Act, in Sen E&E , PH 4/30, 5/5, P WS was 5/14, moved with due pass. 2nd reading , 5/22 carried over. 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, waiting for Gov signature. 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.






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.



Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee and Chamber Votes


On 5/19, Senate E&E canceled its meeting 5/19 at which a Possible Work Session on HB 3336 (requiring electric utility plans for cost-effective use of Grid Enhancing Technologies or GETs) had been scheduled. The PWS is rescheduled for Wed., 5/21. 


The -4 amendment up for consideration essentially replaces the base bill passed by the House in April. The most significant change seems to be a new section outlining the authority and conditions for a local government to rule on an application for an upgrade to a transmission line within the existing utility ROW that entails only the deployment, construction or installation of GETs, and does not expand the footprint of any part of the transmission lines "if sited within an area designated for a statewide land use planning goal related to natural resources, scenic and historic areas and open spaces or the Willamette River Greenway." A decision on such an application would not be a land use decision, as defined in ORS 197.015; could not be subject to a public hearing; and could not be appealed except by writ of review under ORS 34.010-34.100.


On 5/20, The House CEE committee voted 9-1 (Osborne) to move an amended version of SB 726 A to the House floor with a do pass recommendation. The Senate engrossed version would direct the EQC to adopt rules requiring the use of advanced methane detection technology for surface emissions monitoring at municipal solid waste landfills, beginning 1/1/2027. The -A7 amendment, adopted with no discussion, would limit the bill's application to a landfill located in Benton County (e.g., Coffin Butte). The two Reps. Levy voted "courtesy yes" and said they will oppose the bill on the House floor.


Per the fiscal note, the advanced technology specified in the bill would cost local governments about $5,000 per monitoring event, or $20,000 annually per landfill. "Counties report that there are five publicly owned landfills in Lane, Lake, Klamath, Crook, and Marion counties that are currently in DEQ’s highest tier of monitoring and would be subject to the expanded methane monitoring requirements. However, there are numerous publicly owned or municipal solid waste landfills across Oregon, and...those subject to the new standards may incur additional costs if required to conduct follow-up monitoring within 10 days of detecting an exceedance."


Chair Lively carried over the Work Session on SB 685 A to Thurs., 5/22. The bill would require 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.


On 5/21, The Sen EE committee voted 4-1 (Robinson) to move its amended version of HB 3336 to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. This is a Bill of Support on the OCN/OLCV Hot List. 


The base bill passed by the House in April would declare state policy that investor-owned utilities must:

a.     Meet the required clean energy targets in ORS 469A.410; 

b.     Develop sufficient resources to meet load growth;

c.     Create efficiencies and resilience in the transmission system; and 

d.     Maintain energy affordability. 


Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) would have to file strategic plans with the PUC to use cost-effective grid enhancing technologies (GETs, defined in the bill) as part of their mandated Clean Energy Plans and Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs), and to update those plans every two years. An IOU would have to carry out its first filed strategic plan by 2030. 


As explained by Rep. Gamba, the -4 amendment adopted by the committee serves as a "carrot" for IOUs to carry out the mandate of the base bill, and resolves some issues that had caused "heartburn" for local governments and consumer-owned utilities. It would add reducing wildfire risks as a major focus of transmission policy; clarify that nothing in the bill applies to COUs; and add a new section outlining the authority and conditions for a local government to decide on an application for an upgrade to a transmission line within an existing utility ROW that entails only the deployment, construction or installation of GETs. Rather than updating the strategic plan for GETs every two years, the IOU would update it concurrently with the development of, or update to, each IRP. The IOU’s first filed strategic plan would have to identify both short-term actions that could "reasonably be carried out" by 1/1 2030, and “longer-term” actions.


Discussion was limited to Sen. Robinson's comment that he supported deployment of GETs but couldn't vote for any bill that promoted the clean energy targets.


On 5/22, By a 6-4 vote (including two "courtesy" aye votes), the H CEE moved SB 685 A to the House floor with a do pass recommendation. This is a Bill of Support on the OCN/OLCV Hot List. It would require a natural gas utility to notify all customers and the PUC if the utility plans to increase the amount of hydrogen that it blends with natural gas and the ratio of the volume of hydrogen to the volume of natural gas will, for the first time, be greater than 2.5%. A utility that has a hydrogen blending program would have to maintain information on its website about the program and how customers could communicate with the utility about the program. 


Reps. Owens and B. Levy asserted that the bill gives the PUC too much additional authority over gas utilities, and that the real purpose is not about hydrogen notification but about beating up on natural gas. The original bill would have prohibited a utility from developing or carrying out a project involving the production or use of hydrogen without first obtaining PUC approval.







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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