HEARING ON THE OREGON FAIR ENERGY BILL (SB 527 & HB 3135)
Has been moved to Friday, April 1 at 1:30, State Capitol
(We will meet on the Capitol steps at 1:00)
 
OTA needs you to take part in passing a bill that will reform the way Oregon develops energy production.  We can make a monumental difference by changing laws that favor “merchant” power plants that impact our farm and forest lands, pollute our air and waterways, and burden us with imports of fossil fuels. 
 
We need our members and supporters to help us pass our bill to create an energy policy that helps Oregonians protect our environment and prioritize renewable energy over fossil fuels!  Please take a moment to send an email, a letter or make a phone call to the Oregon House Committee on Land Use AND the Senate’s Environment and Land Use Committee by March 31.  (see below for contact information)
 
House Members on the Land Use Committee:

1. Rep. Bill Garrard, Committee Chair -  [email protected]
2. Rep Gordon Anderson - [email protected]
3. Rep Robert Ackerman - [email protected]
4. Rep. Mitch Greenlick - [email protected]
5. Rep. Mary Nolan  - [email protected]
6. Rep. Patti Smith   - [email protected]
7. Rep. Mac Sumner  - [email protected]

 
Senate Members of Environment and Lane Use Committee

1. Sen. Charlie Ringo, Committee Chair  - [email protected]
2. Sen. Jason Atkinson  -  [email protected]
3. Sen. Ginny Burdick  - [email protected]
4. Sen. Roger Beyer - [email protected]
5. Sen. Frank Shields  - [email protected]

 
WHAT DOES THE OREGON FAIR ENERGY BILL DO? 

1. SB 527 and HB 3135 call for the prioritization of renewable energy over fossil-fuel resources. 
2. SB 527 and HB 3135 require a full environmental review with opportunities for the public to comment and present information on alternatives that might better serve the public.
3. SB 527 and HB 3135  are sensible legislations that gives a balance between state and “local control” for land use decisions about power plant site approval.

 
PLANNING FOR FUTURE ENERGY GENERATION
WHAT IS NEEDED:  SB 527 allows Oregon to position itself to act responsively to new technology and promising trends in reduced energy consumption through conservation.  It requires that the Energy Facility Siting Council evaluate a proposed energy facility in accordance with 20-year projections that have been researched and published by the Northwest Power Planning Council.
 
PLANNING FOR OREGON’S ENVIRONMENT
WHAT IS NEEDED:  SB 527 promotes responsible energy generation.  It requires that we evaluate how large fossil-fuel power plants and other electrical generation may impact our air and water resources and the health of all living things.  It requires alternative assessments.  Gathering and acting upon environmental information allows Oregon to make smart decisions for our future.
 
 
Please write to your senators and representatives!   Please send your comments before the hearing on  April 1.
 
Call me if you want more information about car pooling to the hearing.
 
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
 
 
 
Lisa Arkin
Executive Director
Oregon Toxics Alliance
541-465-8860
[email protected]