Here's a list of bills CUB is working on in the 2009 Legislature:
SB 79 - Creates Energy Performance Scoring for homes and buildings; improves energy codes to achieve net zero emissions for all buildings by 2030.
Status: Just got out of the Ways and Means Committee for votes in the Senate and House. Prospects look good.
SB 80 - At first a cap-and-trade bill, it was amended to authorize state agencies to begin processes to develop plan to meet Oregon's statutory goals.
Status: After a lot of negotiations with utilities and the business community, it was clear that only a very watered-down bill would be accepted. So we decided to let the bill die. Very disappointing.
SB 101 - Establishes an Emissions Performance Standard, limiting new power plants to emissions that do not exceed a natural gas plant.
Status: Just got out of a Ways and Means subcommittee. Prospects look good.
SB 201 - Energy Matchmaker to increase funds for low-income weatherization.
Status: A victim of the tight economic times. Died in committee.
HB 2181 - Allows local governments to create Local Improvement Districts to fund energy efficiency initiatives.
Status: Will be combined with
HB 2626, another good energy efficiency bill. Prospects for the combined bill look good.
HB 2940 and
HB 3039 - two bills that threaten to water down Oregon's Renewable Energy Standard. See above for more details.