Speak Up For the Climate Protection Program (CPP)!

Editor's note: This article was updated on 7/31/2024 to reflect recent actions by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Visit our newer blog on the Climate Protection Program for more recent information and to take action.

Last December, the oil and gas industry and their allies delivered a devastating blowto climate justice in our state.

The Oregon Court of Appeals invalidated Oregon's landmark Climate Protection Program(CPP) based on a procedural technicality. The program was spearheaded (unsurprisingly) by the oil and gas industries most responsible for climate pollution in our state.

The CPP represents a historic victory for Oregon's climate, local economies, and communities - especially Black, Indigenous, people of color, low-income, rural, and other communities who stand to benefit the most from emissions reductions and investments under the CPP. OEC and dozens of environmental justice, labor, climate, and business community partners from across the state worked tirelessly over an 18-month rulemaking process to develop the CPP. Prior to its invalidation, it was projected to achieve nearly half of Oregon's targeted emissions reductions, and invest hundreds of millions of dollars annually in environmental justice and other communities throughout our state.

However, the Court's decision didn't spell the end for the CPP - far from it. While fossil fuel companies will continue lobbying to skirt accountability and derail climate justice, we have people power on our side. Together with our broad coalition of partners and thousands of individual Oregonians across the state, we are committed to restoring these vital protections for climate and communities.

What's happening now?

Earlier this year, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced plansto initiate a rulemakingprocess to reinstate the CPP by the end of the year. Governor Kotek, OEC, and dozens of other partner organizations are in full support of DEQ's commitment to restoring the CPP's vital protections for climate and communities as quickly as possible.

On July 31, 2024, DEQ released draft rules to restore the CPP. These rules followed months of public hearings on in-depth policy proposals. Given OEC's historic leadershipin developing, implementing, and defending the Climate Protection Program, we are pleased to have the opportunity to serve as a formal member of the CPP 2024 Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC), alongside many other key environmental justice, Tribal, public health, business, labor partners. OEC was on the ground at the meeting and delivered powerful testimony in support of the CPP.

Unfortunately, oil and gas industry representatives make up the majorityof the seats on the RAC. To no one's surprise, fossil fuel lobbyists used the first RAC meeting in April this year to paint a picture of a scary, expensive future under the CPP.

It's not the reality.What they don't want people to know is that the transition to clean electricity will be cheaper and healthier for everyone. The oil and gas industry has been misleading us for decades on these issues because their goal is to continue to pollute. That's just not sustainable.

Our health is suffering. Our climate is suffering. We cannot continue to put Oregon lives and livelihoods at stake just to preserve business as usual for oil companies and gas utilities.

There are countless examples where polluters have tried to steer regulators and the public away from climate protections through fear-mongering about job loss and economic impacts. Yet, as soon as there is a new framework in place, these policies have shown nothing but benefits. For example, during the development of Oregon's Clean Fuels Program, the oil industry threatened that the policy would result in a $1 per gallon increase in gas prices. Instead, the reality has been mere pennies on the gallon to achieve the benefits of cleaner air, more energy independence, fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and more economic development in Oregon.

But not every oil and gas industry representative on the RAC was complaining. In fact, some of the transportation fuel suppliers shared their experience and success in reducing emissions in line with the CPP's requirements, before the court struck it down. In short: the CPP was working and on track to achieve its stated goals for climate and communities.

As DEQ moves forward with this process, it is imperative that decision-makers hear from the Oregonians whose lives will benefit from the CPP, now and in the future. In particular, it's important that they hear support for maintaining science-based emissions reduction requirements, and an effective Community Climate Investment Programthat's responsive to community needs. (Scroll down for specific talking points you can use in your outreach to DEQ).

We've already lost years of emission reductions since the CPP was halted. It is more important now than ever to make sure we get back on track.

How can I help?

Your role in the process is arguably the most important: make your voice heard in support of climate justice.

Use OEC's letter to submit public comments to DEQ, today.

Urge the agency to strengthen the Climate Protection Program to maximize benefits for our climate, communities, and local economies - and restore these vital protections without delay! Consider personalizing your comments. The public comment period was extended and closes on September 27.

This is our moment. Join us in fighting to create a healthier Oregon.

By restoring the CPP, we will get Oregon back on track to protect our climate, communities, and local economies now and for generations to come. For too long, fossil fuel corporations have tried to lock us out of decision-making and get away with polluting our communities consequence-free. By taking action together, we can create a future that's sustainable, resilient, and meets the needs of all Oregonians.

OEC's work to advance meaningful, lasting environmental progress is made possible by people across the state who care about safeguarding Oregon's future.

Make a difference. Become a member of OEC today.