Support the strongest possible Clean Energy Jobs bill, HB 2007

​March 18, 2019
 
Dear Committee on Energy and Environment,
 
We live in the Bridgeton neighborhood, a small but powerful community perched on the Northern edge of the city of Portland. We are the neighbors who live on the I-5 corridor and are directly affected by dirty diesel.
We strongly urge you to support the strongest possible Clean Energy Jobs bill, HB 2007 that will be introduced in the 2019 Oregon Legislative session.
We must put a declining cap on all greenhouse gases to ensure Oregon meets it Green House Gas (GHG) goals: to reduce all GHG emissions by 45% by 2035 against 1990 levels and to zero by 2050.
We need to make sure polluters pay and hold them accountable for their contributions to the climate crisis. A market-based approach will both ensure GHG reductions and level the playing field for clean energy.
We need to invest in climate solutions that will ensure a just and equitable transition to a clean energy economy.
In addition to achieving these three vital aims of climate legislation we also urge you to do all you can to make sure this legislation is as effective as it needs to be by:

• Advocating for an aggressive cap that ensures steep reductions in GHGs.
• Advocating for a maximum of 25% free allowances for regulated entities, and
• Advocating for a maximum of 4% offsets with at least half of that providing direct environmental benefit to Oregon.

We have an urgent need for action. Worldwide GHG emissions are now at an all-time high. And C02 emissions in U.S. rose a startling 3.4% in 2018. 
Oregon has often taken the lead in addressing major environmental problems by passing legislation like the Bottle Bill and Statewide Comprehensive Land Use Planning.  We need to once again be a leader in tackling the climate crisis. Please do all that you can to help us cap and reduce greenhouse gases.  We have the ingenuity, knowhow and workforce; you are a motivator of political will. Please make it happen, and soon.
Sincerely, 
Bridgeton Neighborhood Association Board of Directors
cc. Representative Tina Kotek & Senator Lew Frederick