As Co-Chair of the House Committee on the Environment, Energy and Water, my top priorities include reducing waste, limiting exposure to toxins, and doing our part to move toward a clean energy future.

Legislative Accomplishments

Bottle Bill Update – 2011

HB 3145 modernizes Oregon’s iconic Bottle Bill to move it into the 21^st century. The bill will encourage the development of a robust system of redemption centers, improving the redemption experience while maintaining consumer convenience, and expand the system to include containers for most juice, tea, and sports/energy drinks. This is a much needed change in the recycling system, keeping Oregon a pioneer of sustainable initiatives.

Residential Solar Fix – 2011

HB 3516 encourages the installation of solar panels on residential and commercial buildings by fixing two obstacles faced by owners who wish to install solar panels. The bill allows the sale of electricity to the grid from rooftop solar installations and allows local governments to recover fees for building inspections to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the installation – without the excessive permitting costs incurred if you live in, for example, a conservation or historical district.

Invasive Species and the Adopt-a-River Program – 2011

HB 3157 extends the Adopt-a-River Program to allow the removal of invasive plant species in addition to just litter from Oregon’s riversides.

Offshore Drilling Moratorium – 2010

HB 3613, which extended the moratorium on offshore oil and natural gas drilling, passed the House and the Senate with strong bipartisan support just 2 months prior to the Deepwater Horizon explosion. Although I introduced the bill as a permanent ban, I amended it to a 10-year moratorium in order to draw broader support. I was joined by Rep. Boone (D-Cannon Beach) and the fishing, crabbing, and conservation communities in championing the bill. 

Global Warming Commission – 2010  

I am honored to be a member of the Global Warming Commission, which analyzes various approaches to reaching the goals established in HB 3543 (2007).

Low Carbon Fuel Standard – 2009 Session
HB 2186 establishes a Low Carbon Fuel Standard to reduce carbon emissions from fuel by 10% by 2020. Oregon joins California as only the second state to adopt the standard, which accounts for emissions associated with the entire lifecycle of the fuel, from production through transportation and combustion. The standard gives a big leg up to local producers of biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol, and will reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
 

Supporting Local Agriculture – 2009
HB 2763 in order to allow for some preference for local agriculture in our state contracting code. As long as the price is within 10% of the lowest available price, local governments will be able to purchase homegrown products starting in January. This bill passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate.

Protecting the Metolius – 2009
HB 3298 established the Metolius River region as an “Area of Statewide Critical Concern.”  This will limit development in a special and sensitive region of Central Oregon.

Statewide Water Planning – 2009
HB 3369 will result in investment strategies that prioritizes water re-use, conservation, and efficiency to deliver more water to farms and fish. To this point, Oregon has been one of only a handful of states that lacks a integrated, statewide water strategy.
 

Updated Bottle Bill – 2007 Session
SB 707 adds water beverages to the list of containers that can be returned for deposit. It also creates a task force to look into further expansion of the Bottle Bill, which will likely consider raising the deposit and adding even more containers. If you missed it, here is a link to a previous newsletter that explained the saga of the Bottle Bill update in much more detail.
 
Renewable Energy Standard – 2007
SB 838, the Oregon Renewable Energy Standard, will require electrical utilities to ensure that 25% of their electricity was generated from renewable sources by the year 2025. It will also help make Oregon a leader in the production of wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, and biomass energy. It has been heartening to see farmers, investors, and environmentalists bridge rural-urban and Republican-Democrat divides to support renewable energy in Oregon. (You can click here to see the text of my speech on the House floor.)
 
Electronic Waste Recycling – 2007
HB 2626 establishes a statewide electronics recycling program that encourages our manufacturers to take responsibility for the environmental consequences of their products. I chaired a work group of consumer advocates, recyclers, and industry representatives to help develop this innovative legislation. I view this bill as an heir to the original Bottle Bill and a companion to the Oregon Renewable Energy Standard as all three have put the public interest ahead of what benefits a few. It passed both legislative chambers on unanimous votes.
 
Measure 37 Fix Referral – 2007
HB 3540 refers an update of the Measure 37 land-use law to the voters for a fall 2007 election.
 
Biofuels Incentives – 2007
HB 2210 provides incentives for the production and processing of Oregon-grown biofuels feedstock, provides a tax credit for Oregon consumers to use higher blends of biodiesel in cars and trucks and for home heating oil, and establishes a renewable fuel standard tied to in-state and Northwest biofuels production.
 
Climate Change Goals and Research – 2007
HB 3543 sets goals for reducing global warming pollution and helps the state prepare for the consequences of global warming. Multiple agencies each have responsibility for different pieces of the global warming issue – the Department of Environmental Quality for industrial pollution, the Department of Energy for all energy-related sources, and the Public Utility Commission for utilities. So this bill establishes a global warming commission to coordinate efforts statewide. It also establishes a research center based at Oregon State University to monitor global warming and its impacts on Oregon.