Oregon Climate Action Plan (OCAP)

We’re taking historic, bold action in Oregon to reduce climate pollution, protect our air and water, and do our part as a state to respond to the climate emergency. We’re improving our transportation, businesses, energy, and buildings to lower pollution over time with clean, renewable options that will save money, protect health, and create jobs.

In March 2020, Governor Kate Brown signed a sweeping action to address the climate crisis, Executive Order 20-04 the Oregon Climate Action Plan (OCAP). It’s a sector by sector approach for Oregon to transition away from dirty energy that puts carbon, sulfur, and arsenic in our air and water and puts the future of our kids and grandkids at risk, to a clean energy economy .

A vast majority of Oregonians have demanded climate action for years, as wildfires have burned longer and our clean water supply is threatened. We’re in an emergency. Governor Brown says Oregon has a scientific, economic and moral imperative to take action!

Upcoming Legislation

Here is a complete list of all the bills dealing with climate change that will be voted on in the 2021 legislative session.

Here is some more info from Beyond Toxics about some particularly good environmental justice bills.

OCAP Latest Developments:

The OCAP coalition is focused on holding agencies accountable to significant and timely progress by submitting expert testimony at agency meetings, feedback on emerging plans, and community education.

Here’s a quick look at how it’s structured. Read more about the coalition structure here.

Click here to read the January 2021 updates from the OCAP tables.

Click here for updates from the Oregon Global Warming Commission.

Click here to read the 2020 Oregon Climate and Health Report.

Click here to read the 2020 Oregon Global Warming Commission Report

Take Action!

Support the Board of Forestry Nominations:

Gov. Brown has nominated 3 new candidates for open seats on the Board of Forestry. The Board plays a crucial role in developing statewide forestry practices. For more information on the nominees click here.

Please personalize this email template to your Oregon state Senator in support of these nominations and encourage them to move these nominations out of the Rules committee and forward to the full Senate for a vote this session!

Latest Articles on OCAP:

Business groups Sue Oregon Gov. Kate Brown over Carbon-Reduction Policy – July 31, 2020

OREGON CLIMATE ACTION PLAN HIGHLIGHTS:

Clean Economy

OCAP requires large corporate polluters to reduce pollution over time. The new targets are to reduce greenhouse gas pollution in Oregon by at least 45% below 1990 levels by the year 2035, and by 80% by 2050.

Clean Fuels

OCAP sets targets for low carbon fuel standards, schedules a phase in implementation of those standards, with the goal of reducing average GHG emissions per unit of fuel by 20% below 2015 levels by 2030, and 25% below 2015 levels by 2035.

Clean Buildings

OCAP sets bold new energy efficiency standards for new buildings and appliances, which will in effect reduce operating costs for businesses and save renters and homeowners money on their utility bills.

Climate Equity

Reflecting that climate change has a disproportionate effect on impacted communities, including Tribes, communities of color, and rural communities, OCAP establishes an interagency workgroup on climate impacts to impacted communities to develop strategies to guide climate actions.

Electric Cars & Trucks

Oregon has lots of charging stations for electric cars and trucks, but with more people choosing EVs all the time, we need more chargers. The Oregon Climate Action Plan will map out where communities need charging most to keep people going, especially rural areas, and work to build a world-class network.

Natural Lands

Recognizing the critical role that land plays in climate mitigation, OCAP directs the Oregon Global Warming Commission to propose state goals for carbon sequestration and storage by natural and working landscapes, including forests, wetlands, and agricultural lands.