HB 2020

HB 2020: Contact the legislature.  This is NOT  guaranteed passage!

1.       When you email legislators, put the bill number and your position in the subject line. “HB 2020—yes!”

2.       Email the chairs of the committee in charge of the bill as well as your own reps: Sarah  Gelser and Dan Rayfield for Corvallis, Senator Denbrow and Rep. Power for the Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction. All contact info is online and easy to find.

3.       In your email, first give your personal reasons for supporting a specific aspect of the bill.  The anecdote should connect to something in the legislation. Just saying you are worried about an issue is not as compelling as saying why in a way that proves you READ THE BILL.

I want to speak specifically about the need to be clear on where investment funds will be directed in HB 2020: I grew up in the 1970s in New England. Rising oil prices, depressed economy, homes heated with oil furnaces. Minimum wage was a little over three dollars an hour; gas prices were going up to a dollar a gallon. We were working class; my mother was a hairdresser, my father worked construction, when it existed. When I went to college, my roommate and I kept the heat low, put on sweaters, did our homework in bed to save energy. Until I became a teacher, at 34, I was working class. I had enough money to live, but none to spare.  I understand the need to budget tightly. Now, as a teacher, I know I have families who decide between a warm house and food or rent.

4.       Second, refer to specific aspects of the bill that you support or want to see strengthened:

a.       Anything that threatens this delicate financial balance is terrifying. As we move forward on the absolutely essential need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, we must be very clear in how we are going to protect people from rising fuel and food prices, which will happen. Spelling out specific investments, using specific numbers, will allow us to alleviate some of these very real fears. Please do not allow HB 2020 to move on with the language “to the maximum extent feasible.” Set specific targets and percentages. Allow for review after five years and adjust accordingly. But, I have very real fears that this non-specific language will feather the pockets of the well-off, while leaving others struggling.

5.       Thank them for their service.

6.       Repeat as needed.

  

Specific Details for HB 2020

1.       The whole bill, plus related information, is on OLIS. You can sign up for updates on any bill you are interested in there.

2.       Corvallis Climate Action Advisory  Board stated:

·         Interim Target – HB 2020 sets an interim target at 45% below 1990 emission levels by 2035. This interim target is essential to the success of the Clean Energy Jobs Bill.

·         No Free Allowances for New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure .

·         No Additional Free Allowances for Natural Gas Utilities

·         Investment Allocations (Equity) – The 2018 version of the Clean Energy Jobs Bill included percentages to determine where investments will go, including 50% to benefit the communities that are experiencing the greatest impacts of climate change – primarily lowincome individuals, rural communities, and communities of color.

·         Citizen Governance: We believe that a provision for statewide citizen engagement in governance of the program must be added to HB 2020.

3.       The Mary’s Peak Chapter of the Sierra Club stated: In addition to supporting the CAAB recommendations for HB 2020, the Marys Peak Group requests that the City Council consider including two issues that would strengthen the bill. The first would be to eliminate the exemptions for aviation fuels and fluorinated greenhouse gases. These are major contributors to climate change, and their exemption significantly reduces our opportunity to meet the stated goals. The second addition would be to require that a seat on related advisory boards be set aside for Tribal representation.

4.       Climate Solutions stated:

1. Environmental Integrity: Must be an economy-wide program starting in 2021 therefore needs an emergency clause, a program that links regionally with a cap of at least 45% by 2035 & at least 80% by 2050.

 2. Centers Equity: There must be a clear requirement that the majority of all proceeds will go to the communities most impacted by climate change to not only mitigate impacts but more importantly provide opportunities. This should include low-income and rural communities, communities of color, at least a 10% Tribal set aside, and a just transition fund for workers.

3. Effective and Fair: All Emitters under the cap (no exemptions), oil industry cannot qualify for free allowances, no free allowances in perpetuity, fossil fuel infrastructure cannot qualify as EITE or receive free allowances. Entities who receive free allowances should use the value of those benefits for energy efficiency upgrades and not be eligible for program proceeds.

 4. Delivers Benefits: This program must deliver benefits across the state and prioritize greenhouse gas reductions and not be used for investments that increase

5. Kickstarts Comprehensive Climate Action: No climate or environmental rollbacks.