Groups seek reinstatement of Oregon's Climate Protection Program

A group of Oregon conservation advocates is asking the state’s Department of Environmental Quality to restore the provisions of a 2021 Climate Protection Program that had been invalidated by the courts.

The Oregon Just Transition Alliance wants the state to adopt a 2024 version of the plan that restores most of its goals and protections.

Xitlali Torres, coordinator of the Air Quality and Climate Program for the group Verde, a member of the alliance, said they want to fix the objective of achieving equity for marginalized communities that have borne the burden of pollution.

“The Climate Protection Program is a great opportunity to shift Oregon’s way of thinking and doing business to more sustainable and equitable practices,” she said.

The Oregon Court of Appeals invalidated the original plan, mostly on technicalities involving posting notice requirements. Torres said today is the final day for Oregonians to submit written comments on the 2024 plan. They can do so online at DEQ.Oregon.gov by searching for “CPP 2024.”

The proposed plan would re-establish the program and set limits on greenhouse gas emissions. It would also impose an enforceable limit on emissions from sources such as diesel, gasoline, natural gas, and propane.

Torres said sharing your opinion can make a big difference.

“Comments are valuable,” she said. “I’ve heard firsthand from the Department of Environmental Quality staff that comments do make a difference. During the last rulemaking, they received thousands of comments, making the rules stronger.”

Torres said the coalition’s goal is to restore the climate program with a scope and ambition comparable to the previous plan for emissions reduction. She also noted that the state’s environmental policies must include all Oregonians.

“The program is prioritizing uplifting environmental justice communities,” she said, “and listening to groups that have historically been left out of decisionmaking or left out of policies.”

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