Fossil Free Eugene
|
|
Our dedicated volunteers have been pushing hard on city government to enact legally defensible, common sense policies that would:
- Generate revenue for low-income residential electrification by increasing the Gas Supplier tax on NW Natural from 5% to 10% and creating a social cost on carbon.
- Establish a low-nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions standard for gas furnaces and water heaters sold in Eugene.
- Prohibit the expansion of gas mains within the City’s public right-of way.
- Adopt a City policy that any new construction that the City subsidizes, or provides with permitting exemptions and / or streamlining, be built all-electric, as a condition of those subsidies / exemptions.
The city has the authority to act.
We need to tell them it’s what we want!
We need to tell them it’s what we want!
We, working with our allies, are finally making some progress. We’re in it for the long haul. New elected leadership and a solid Sustainability Office staff are in place.
You’ll find us regularly at city council meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays at the new City Hall at 7:30 pm, attending their work sessions and meeting with Councilors and Sustainability Office staff to monitor progress, lend support and keep up the pressure.
Sign up for our newsletters and watch our calendar for times and places to join us. The more the merrier. Everyone is welcome!
You’ll find us regularly at city council meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays at the new City Hall at 7:30 pm, attending their work sessions and meeting with Councilors and Sustainability Office staff to monitor progress, lend support and keep up the pressure.
Sign up for our newsletters and watch our calendar for times and places to join us. The more the merrier. Everyone is welcome!
Eugene Demands Climate Action!
Street Messaging
|
Sometimes you just have to hit the streets with your environmental friends and meet your neighbors! Each month our Climate Messaging Team shares inspiring and beautiful signs & banners with passersby about electric vehicles, forest protection, the virtues of electrification, the dangers of fossil gas, and more. Check our website calendar to find out when and where we meet next. Everything is provided and a social time often follows.(Note: EVEVA stands for the local Emerald Valley Electric Vehicle Association.)
|
|
Credit: Peter Dragovitch
Advocating for strong local climate policy can be fun! Take a listen to the recent debut of the Climate Crisis Quartet, testifying on the need for urgent electrification policy before Eugene City Council on July 8, 2024.
Advocating for strong local climate policy can be fun! Take a listen to the recent debut of the Climate Crisis Quartet, testifying on the need for urgent electrification policy before Eugene City Council on July 8, 2024.
State Policy!
Divest Oregon
Divest Oregon is a diverse coalition of individuals and organizations representing unions with PERS members, racial and climate justice groups, youth leaders and faith communities advocating for the Oregon State Treasury to divest its $137 billion portfolio (including $99 billion in the PERS fund) from fossil fuels. 350Eugene is a coalition member and you can join individually, too!
The Asks:
1) Immediately: No NEW investments in fossil fuels since they pose a financial, health, and climate risk to Oregonians.
2) Annually release a public list of all portfolio holdings in every asset class.
3) Transparently phase out of all CURRENT fossil fuel investments: publicly traded investments as soon as possible and private investments phased out as contracts become due by 2035. Move to climate-safe investments, using a social justice framework that accounts for the climate impacts on frontline communities across the state, including rural communities and communities of color.
2024 Wins and 2025 Goals:
Although Divest Oregon is a young advocacy group, it was the chief supporter of HB 4083, the Clean Oregon Assets Legislation
(COAL Act), which passed the legislature in 2024 and was signed by the governor. The law calls for the state to phase out coal investments, calls for no new coal investments, and requires annual reports by the Treasury on this phase out. This was an important first step, but the work is not done!
Divest Oregon advocated for the Treasury and the Oregon Investment Council to adopt rules and practices leading toward divestment. Then Treasurer Read responded by proposing the Net Zero Plan, a set of measures leading us toward that goal. Although not everything Divest Oregon would like, it is another big step in the right direction. New Treasurer Steiner has indicated her desire to support and strengthen the Net Zero Plan. The plan is under further development by the O.I.C. and we continue to participate in this process.
Divest Oregon has worked with chief sponsor Senator Golden and others to support the 2025 Pause Act (SB 681). The act codifies a portion of the Treasurer’s Net Zero Plan by pausing for five years the state’s PERS private equity investments primarily in fossil fuels. See SB 681 and a one page summary.
Go to divestoregon.org to learn more about Oregon’s fossil fuel investments and how we can get the Treasury to divest.
Contact: Gary Wallmark, [email protected].
The Asks:
1) Immediately: No NEW investments in fossil fuels since they pose a financial, health, and climate risk to Oregonians.
2) Annually release a public list of all portfolio holdings in every asset class.
3) Transparently phase out of all CURRENT fossil fuel investments: publicly traded investments as soon as possible and private investments phased out as contracts become due by 2035. Move to climate-safe investments, using a social justice framework that accounts for the climate impacts on frontline communities across the state, including rural communities and communities of color.
2024 Wins and 2025 Goals:
Although Divest Oregon is a young advocacy group, it was the chief supporter of HB 4083, the Clean Oregon Assets Legislation
(COAL Act), which passed the legislature in 2024 and was signed by the governor. The law calls for the state to phase out coal investments, calls for no new coal investments, and requires annual reports by the Treasury on this phase out. This was an important first step, but the work is not done!
Divest Oregon advocated for the Treasury and the Oregon Investment Council to adopt rules and practices leading toward divestment. Then Treasurer Read responded by proposing the Net Zero Plan, a set of measures leading us toward that goal. Although not everything Divest Oregon would like, it is another big step in the right direction. New Treasurer Steiner has indicated her desire to support and strengthen the Net Zero Plan. The plan is under further development by the O.I.C. and we continue to participate in this process.
Divest Oregon has worked with chief sponsor Senator Golden and others to support the 2025 Pause Act (SB 681). The act codifies a portion of the Treasurer’s Net Zero Plan by pausing for five years the state’s PERS private equity investments primarily in fossil fuels. See SB 681 and a one page summary.
Go to divestoregon.org to learn more about Oregon’s fossil fuel investments and how we can get the Treasury to divest.
Contact: Gary Wallmark, [email protected].
Oregon Coalition for an Environmental Rights Amendment (OCERA)
OCERA: Oregon Coalition for an Environmental Rights Amendment
This comprehensive environmental bill will put the right to a Healthy Environment into our state constitution. As the threat of degraded federal protections rises on the horizon, it is imperative that Oregon shield itself as soon and as effectively as possible.
This amendment will help protect other programs like the CPP and would support actions against polluters like JH Baxter. It is budget neutral.
We had a successful Lobby Day December 11th. We had 2 original Co-chief sponsors and 2 co-sponsors. After Lobby Day we have 6 co-chief sponsors and 15 co-sponsors! Currently it is SJR28. Senator Manning , Senator Prozanski and 4 others are chief co-sponsor and Rep Fragala
And 14 other regular sponsors. This is currently SJR28. This will be heard in the Climate and Natural Resources Committee chaired by Rep Lively. www.OCERAunited.org
This comprehensive environmental bill will put the right to a Healthy Environment into our state constitution. As the threat of degraded federal protections rises on the horizon, it is imperative that Oregon shield itself as soon and as effectively as possible.
This amendment will help protect other programs like the CPP and would support actions against polluters like JH Baxter. It is budget neutral.
We had a successful Lobby Day December 11th. We had 2 original Co-chief sponsors and 2 co-sponsors. After Lobby Day we have 6 co-chief sponsors and 15 co-sponsors! Currently it is SJR28. Senator Manning , Senator Prozanski and 4 others are chief co-sponsor and Rep Fragala
And 14 other regular sponsors. This is currently SJR28. This will be heard in the Climate and Natural Resources Committee chaired by Rep Lively. www.OCERAunited.org
State Legislature
The Building Resilience Coalition has three priorities this session. The two policy bills officially have numbers, while their budget priority will take a little longer to find a home.
One Stop Shop 2.0 is House Bill 3081. (This bill concept was simultaneously introduced in the Senate for strategic purposes: SB 89)
There’s never been more financial help for Oregonians to upgrade their homes and buildings for better health, lower costs, less pollution, and higher resilience. Yet finding and applying for all the incentives and rebates for efficient heat pumps, improved insulation, sturdier doors and windows, and clean electric cooking can be a challenge. This one stop shop website is nearly up and running. This bill will add on a support system to help navigate applications, find contractors and ask questions throughout the process. That is the goal for One Stop Shop 2.0.
There are several other bills they will be supporting which, taken together with these priorities, make up a pretty convincing package of solutions for Energy Affordability & Resilience this session.
Get the Junk Out of Rates is Senate Bill 88
Utility bills are rising rapidly and are unaffordable for many Oregonians. To bring utility bills down long term we must increase energy efficiency and make a clean energy transition to cheaper wind and solar. In the meantime, Things like expensive lawyers and lobbyists, advertising, and industry association fees should come out of company profits and not be charged on our bills. We’re going to get millions of dollars of “junk” out of our rates. Stay tuned for news on those bills, and visit https://buildingresilience.org › what-were-working-on.
Stand Up to Factory Farms
SB 80 would prohibit new and expanding large confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in existing Groundwater Management Areas, due to the ongoing public health crises over dangerous levels of nitrates in drinking water. Lobby Day: February 27th.
OLCV Legislative Priorities
Oregon Just Transition Alliance
And our partners across the state worked hard to create Community Resilience Hubs in 2023, which granted $10 million to locally-driven, community-led efforts to prepare us for climate disasters. This was a big win for our communities.
One Stop Shop 2.0 is House Bill 3081. (This bill concept was simultaneously introduced in the Senate for strategic purposes: SB 89)
There’s never been more financial help for Oregonians to upgrade their homes and buildings for better health, lower costs, less pollution, and higher resilience. Yet finding and applying for all the incentives and rebates for efficient heat pumps, improved insulation, sturdier doors and windows, and clean electric cooking can be a challenge. This one stop shop website is nearly up and running. This bill will add on a support system to help navigate applications, find contractors and ask questions throughout the process. That is the goal for One Stop Shop 2.0.
There are several other bills they will be supporting which, taken together with these priorities, make up a pretty convincing package of solutions for Energy Affordability & Resilience this session.
Get the Junk Out of Rates is Senate Bill 88
Utility bills are rising rapidly and are unaffordable for many Oregonians. To bring utility bills down long term we must increase energy efficiency and make a clean energy transition to cheaper wind and solar. In the meantime, Things like expensive lawyers and lobbyists, advertising, and industry association fees should come out of company profits and not be charged on our bills. We’re going to get millions of dollars of “junk” out of our rates. Stay tuned for news on those bills, and visit https://buildingresilience.org › what-were-working-on.
Stand Up to Factory Farms
SB 80 would prohibit new and expanding large confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in existing Groundwater Management Areas, due to the ongoing public health crises over dangerous levels of nitrates in drinking water. Lobby Day: February 27th.
OLCV Legislative Priorities
- A transportation package that prioritizes climate, equity, and wildlife: This package would build on the historic gains on HB 2017 (which included investments in public transit, Safe Routes to School, and vehicle electrification), to shift the focus to multimodal, safety, and climate-forward investments. This will create a system that saves money over time and builds a more resilient, equitable, and healthy future for all Oregonians.
- Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability (HB 3081, SB 88, LC 1547): Oregonians are struggling to keep up with skyrocketing utility bills in the face of ever-worsening climate impacts. HB 3081 would create an active navigator to help Oregonians access energy efficiency incentives all in one place. SB 88 limits the ability of utility companies from charging ratepayers for lobbying, litigation costs, fines, marketing, industry fees, and political spending. LC 1547 ensures that large energy users (i.e. data centers) do not unfairly burden Oregon households.
- Oregon League of Conservation Voters
- https://www.olcv.org › drum-roll-the-2025-legislative-p...
Oregon Just Transition Alliance
And our partners across the state worked hard to create Community Resilience Hubs in 2023, which granted $10 million to locally-driven, community-led efforts to prepare us for climate disasters. This was a big win for our communities.
Fracked Gas Resistance
|
|
TransCanada (TC) Energy owns the GTN Xpress project (Gas Transmission Northwest) that runs 1,300 miles of pipeline from Canada through parts of Washington, Idaho and Oregon. The pipes are over 60 years old and cannot safely accommodate the increased volume of gas. Recently “whistle blower” pipeline inspectors have confirmed that the pipe is old, damaged in places and is flaking off pieces of the pipe increasing the risks of rupture, explosions and fires.
In October of 2023 the FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) approved this expansion by TC Energy. Despite strong opposition, construction of new compressor stations for the pipeline expansion is underway, with completion expected by February 2025. This outdated pipeline, already prone to failure, will carry even more fracked gas, risking our safety and environment for decades. Nearly all fatal pipeline accidents are tied to aging infrastructure—GTN Xpress is no exception.
The legal challenge to this pipeline expansion began on October 28, 2023, led by Columbia Riverkeepers, and is being heard in the 5th Circuit Court in Texas. We are fighting to stop this project before it’s too late.
Senator Ron Wyden reaffirmed his opposition, vowing to fight the pipeline with “every tool available.”
Take Action
Our friends at 350 Deschutes have a petition to demand the Deschutes gas utility, Cascade Natural Gas, stop this project.
Please sign it HERE!
While this project has been approved and is under construction, this video still has a lot of good information about the GTN Xpress project.
In October of 2023 the FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) approved this expansion by TC Energy. Despite strong opposition, construction of new compressor stations for the pipeline expansion is underway, with completion expected by February 2025. This outdated pipeline, already prone to failure, will carry even more fracked gas, risking our safety and environment for decades. Nearly all fatal pipeline accidents are tied to aging infrastructure—GTN Xpress is no exception.
The legal challenge to this pipeline expansion began on October 28, 2023, led by Columbia Riverkeepers, and is being heard in the 5th Circuit Court in Texas. We are fighting to stop this project before it’s too late.
Senator Ron Wyden reaffirmed his opposition, vowing to fight the pipeline with “every tool available.”
Take Action
Our friends at 350 Deschutes have a petition to demand the Deschutes gas utility, Cascade Natural Gas, stop this project.
Please sign it HERE!
While this project has been approved and is under construction, this video still has a lot of good information about the GTN Xpress project.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! TAKE ACTION TODAY!
Forest Defense
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO FOR OUR CLIMATE RIGHT NOW IS TO SPEAK UP
RE: THE NORTHWEST FOREST PLAN
IT’S PUBLIC COMMENT & ENGAGEMENT TIME!
RE: THE NORTHWEST FOREST PLAN
IT’S PUBLIC COMMENT & ENGAGEMENT TIME!
- Read the one-pager on the Plan (sounds good but it’s more logging & road-building, empty promises)
- Make official comments to the US Forest Service. (It’s easy. Open through March 17, 2024)
- Come to the Willamette National Forest public meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12th at 4:30 pm at 3106 Pierce Parkway in Springfield for a spirited rally and USFS presentation followed by Q&A. (We’ve got questions!)
- Show up for Street Messaging with Save the Old Growth banners on Thursday, February 13th & 27th, 2 to 3:30 pm at 18th & Chambers (Bimart). Engage the public. Everything is provided. All are welcome!
Background: On Earth Day 2022, Pres. Biden told the US Forest Service (USFS) to inventory their forests (128 total) and update their “plans.” The plan that covers our invaluable temperate rainforest is the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) and it contains 17 national forests. It was adopted in 1994 due to the systematic liquidation of mature and old-growth forests and the failure of the USFS and Bureau of Land Management to conserve habitat that could sustain viable populations of native fish and wildlife. (Recall the Spotted Owl?)
Now the agency has released the NWFP Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) with four proposed amendments, B through D (A is no change). The big problem with each proposal? They dramatically increase logging and road building, which worsens the accelerating global extinction and climate crises attributable to planetary heating, resulting in habitat loss, disease and other impacts.
The very important and “new good thing” that was included (and has been way overdue), is the recognition that the 80-affected Tribes within the NWFP area possess vital Indigenous knowledge for caring for these lands and their wisdom must be sought at all levels. The new proposals codify Tribal voices, including the use of ecological fire. Very good. Find those points here.
FOREST DEFENSE IS CLIMATE DEFENSE
Pacific Northwest forests sequester and store more carbon than tropical rainforests and we need them now more than ever to draw down atmospheric carbon, provide clean water, pure air and protect biodiversity.
THE FORESTS CAN’T SAVE THEMSELVES. WE MUST SPEAK FOR THEM!
Here is a summary of the relevant science. You can find positive messages for your comments here.
The NWFP DEIS is open for public comment through Mar 17, 2025.
Let’s blow them away with MASSIVE COMMENTS!
COMMENT TODAY!
Coordinated banner drops up and down I-5 send a message to protect mature and old growth trees.
