March 11, 2020 3:25 a.m.
On Tuesday, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed a new executive order on climate.
A release from the Governor’s office said the order sets new greenhouse gas emissions goals and directs state agencies to put the new measures in effect to lower the state’s emissions to meet the climate goals she has for Oregon.
Brown said “climate action is crucial and urgent”. She said “if we adults don’t take action right away, it is the next generation that will pay the price”. Brown said immediate and comprehensive efforts are needed to “tackle this scourge that is devastating the Oregon we know and love, and a smart approach can both protect the environment and grow our economy”.
The release said the executive order updates the existing state carbon emissions goals to reflect the current science. It sets a standard of a 45% reduction from 1990 levels by 2035 and an 80% reduction from 1990 levels by 2050. The order outlined a variety of means of achieving that goal including:
*Sector-specific caps on climate pollution
*A doubling of the Clean Fuels program
*Higher energy efficiency for buildings and appliances
*A strategic plan to accelerate usability of electric vehicles
*Emissions-conscious transportation spending
*Accelerates the transition to clean energy resources in the utility sector
*Adds climate action as a top priority for agency decision making.
In response, Senate Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger said the Governor is ignoring Oregonians. He said, “she is not listening to three quarters of the state or the 28 counties that signed proclamations against the cap and trade concept”
House Republican Leader Christine Drazen called the move, “an abuse of power”. She called the executive order, “a flawed version of leadership that exposes our state to litigation”.
The full executive order is posted at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16islO3GTqxVihqhhIcjGYH4Mrw3zNNXw/view