Dear John,

Oregon’s Climate Protection Program (CPP) requires big polluters to drastically cut their emissions over time by 2050. The CPP is one of our strongest climate policies, and it’s currently under attack, threatened by attempted rollbacks by polluting industries. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) 2023 Climate Rulemaking will have far-reaching consequences for the climate and our communities. Before the Environmental Quality Commission’s scheduled public hearing on Monday, September 18th, will you write to the commission, urging them to ensure that our state stays on track to reach its climate goals?

Two years ago, the Environmental Quality Commission adopted the CPP after a robust year-and-a-half long rulemaking process and extensive public input, including more than 7,600 public comments. By reducing climate and air pollution from buildings, transportation systems, and industries, the CPP will provide immediate public health benefits and cost-saving for communities historically most impacted by climate pollution and the burning of fossil fuels. These emissions reductions can provide significant economic benefits by encouraging technological innovation and investments in clean energy, which will support job creation.

Unfortunately, since the adoption of the final CPP rules, increasing emissions from Oregon’s industrial sector has become a reality. As one example, Amazon is seeking multiple permits to build or expand operations at several energy-intensive, fossil gas-powered data centers in Eastern Oregon; these data centers alone will result in an enormous increase in gas use and greenhouse gas emissions. Given the increasing inevitability of a growing technology sector, it is especially critical that DEQ use this rulemaking to strengthen the program holding these industrial polluters accountable.

Without strong engagement from the public, the oil and gas industry could succeed in securing final rules that limit benefits for climate and communities in Oregon. Write to the Environmental Quality Commission today, urging them to ensure Oregon’s cornerstone CPP stays on track to deliver its stated climate goals and public health, economic, and employment benefits for environmental justice communities in Oregon.

Thank you for all that you do,
Julia DeGraw

Coalition Director, OLCV