Legislature keyed on conservation

By Scott Bruun

, Jul 19, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (5 Reader comments)

ADVERTISEMENTS

<< Prev. Page 1 | 2

Recycling bills were also prominent. SB 707 will expand Oregon’s bottle bill to include water bottles, crucial when you consider that upwards of 100 million plastic bottles are going into Oregon landfills every year. HB 2626 sets a similar standard for electronic waste, critical for control of mercury, lead and other hard-waste toxins. Now when Oregonians need to dispose of old computers and TVs, they’ll have a convenient place to go – free of charge.

Promotion of biofuels was accomplished via HB 2210. This bill requires that certain percentages of most vehicle fuels sold in Oregon contain a biofuel component. The bill provides incentives for the production and processing of Oregon grown biofuel feedstock and also provides incentives for Oregon consumers who use higher blends of biofuels for cars, trucks and home heating. The benefits of HB 2210 include promotion of Oregon agricultural and forest industries, cleaner air and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and reduced dependence on foreign oil.

There were other advancements in common sense conservation legislation. Some of these include promotion of solar technologies; a new toxic reduction strategy to help the Willamette River; and a clean diesel initiative to help retrofit or replace old, polluting diesel engines in school busses and heavy equipment.

Rep. Ben Cannon and I also introduced legislation for a carbon cap-and-trade program. This type of system is successfully being used in various places to promote industrial modernization and greenhouse gas reduction through market-based trading incentives. This would be a big step for Oregon and will require extensive dialog and cooperation.

In short, the 2007 Oregon Legislature made considerable gains in conservation policy but avoided the overreach, which has hamstrung past efforts. Our charge was simple: sound conservation policy that also promoted Oregon jobs and innovation. I am proud of our accomplishments this year. And I think TR would have been proud of us, too.

Rep. Scott Bruun represents West Linn, Tualatin, Lake Oswego, Rivergrove,

Stafford and Durham in District 37. To contact him, e-mail rep.scottbruun@state.or.us or call 503-650-6958.

<< Prev. Page 1 | 2