[Sexy] Policy Electron

<p>Using The Declaration as our guide, the Policy Electron is creating a policy platform. The purpose is to chose certain bills that follow our Principles and five Action Items defined in The Declaration and then to lobby and use our creative power as youth to hold our elected officials accountable to passing and implementing these policies.<br /><br />Currently (February '09), we have a proposal before the larger CCN with the bills in the Oregon legislature that we think best reflect our Action Items. We'd very much appreciate any comments/reflections/blocks/supportive statement on these bills and this process.<br /><br /><br />Bold signifies 1st Tier interest, Italic signifies 2nd Tier interest.<br /><br />1) Commit to prioritizing energy efficiency and conservation measures.<br /><br />SB 79 - Energy efficiency building standards including the adoption of codes for net zero emissions for new residential and commercial buildings by 2030, and increases in rates of energy efficiency in residential and commercial building codes by 2012. State Dept. of Energy would also develop performance scores for homes and buildings. Only bill of these that has had a hearing.<br /><br />SB 201 - establishes an energy efficiency matching fund for low-income homes ($2 million) that can be used for audits, weatherization and energy efficient design in new low-income housing. Money must be match by grants, loans or tax incentives.<br /><br />2) Commit to providing strong support for the development of clean, renewable, local, and just energy resources to meet our region's remaining energy needs.<br /><br /><br />HB 2121 - creates a solar pilot project, directing the PUC to integrate up to 17 megawatts of solar into Oregon's electricity mix<br /><br />HB 2180 - makes amendments to Oregon's residential and businesses energy tax credits to shift benefits from hybrids to low and zero emissions vehicles, and increase business energy tax credit rate for large scale energy efficiency projects to 50% (currently its at 35% while new renewables get a 50% credit), among other changes. Authorize state loans for biofuels. Also support a grant program for community related energy projects.<br /><br />3) Commit to immediately halt all new fossil fuel infrastructure development projects to serve our region's energy needs.<br /><br />SB 101 - Establishes greenhouse gas emissions performance standard for power plants. The bill would require new long-term contracts for power to be at least as clean as natural gas (not LNG) [at site ghg emissions]. This would effectively shut down the ability to build new coal plants to serve Oregon customers. This was assigned to a terrible committee (Business and Transportation) and so we are looking at trying to move this bill, or something stronger that could affect Boardman, in the House.<br /><br />4) Commit to immediately begin phasing out the importation of fossil fuels into the Pacific Northwest.<br /><br />no number yet LNG Public Protection Act --<br /><br />5) Commit to adequately funding educational institutions as centers to train, empower, and otherwise prepare youth and community members for their roles in the transition to a sustainable, just, and prosperous future.<br /><br />SB 80 - This is the Governor's cap and trade bill. It directs the Environmental Quality Commission to develop a greenhouse gas cap and trade system, and sets a declining cap on greenhouse gas pollution. We like the cap. We support a cap as a group and we have no consensus on the trade part of this bill as some of us feel that it conflicts with the principles of environmental justice.<br />HB 2186 - This bill would help Oregon meet its existing greenhouse gas reduction goals by authorizing the DEQ to develop a comprehensive program to get there, including the creation of a low carbon fuel standard for trucks and heavy machinery, and putting restrictions on the use of substances that contain or release greenhouse gases.</p>