A bill granting full authority to the DEQ to mandate the use of “low carbon” fuels in Oregon was sitting in a rest stop.  But after a threat to put the recently passed Jobs and Transportation Act on the ballot, the bill is now on its way to the Senate Floor with additional provisions laying the groundwork for a new stratum of government transportation projects which will have to be negotiated on their way to ground breaking. 

The impelling factor for HB 2186’s rejuvenation was a threat by some environmentalists to refer the recently passed Jobs and Transportation Act to the ballot unless HB 2186 saw the light of day.  The Transportation Act, the largest public works measure in decades, raises gas taxes 6 cents per gallon along with various other fee bumps.  Passage of the Transportation Act required many “hard votes” for legislators who did not want to see their risky gas tax vote go for naught.

It worked.  HB 2186 came alive.

Last Thursday, HB 2186 passed out of the Senate Rules Committee with an additional provision to study the formation of new, local governmental bodies to approve and control transportation planning issues.  Expansions reducing traffic congestion are opposed by environmental groups who favor congestion as a way to force use of public transportation and increase residential “densification.”

AOI, along with over a dozen businesses, agricultural and labor groups oppose HB 2186 largely because it grants authority to the DEQ to mandate statewide fuel changes without further legislative approval; its economic impact is unknown, and no one knows exactly what constitutes a “low carbon fuel.”  Similar approaches to environmental issues, notably ethanol, indicate that careful study and evaluation is needed before jumping off the cliff de jour.

The bill had a hearing last Thursday, with panels presenting their augments. 

Panel Supporting Passage of HB 2816

Clackamas County Commissioner
Governor’s Office
Oregon Business Association
Oregon Environmental Council

Panel Opposing Passage of HB 2816 (AOI/business/labor/coalition position)

Oregon Farm Bureau
Oregon Truckers Associations
Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Western States Petroleum Association

The bill passed out of committee on a party line vote.

A "No" vote is a pro-business vote
Senator Richard Devlin, Chair (D – Tualatin)	Yes
Senator Ginny Burdick (D – Portland)	Yes
Senator Rick Metsger (D – Mt. Hood)	Yes
Senator Ted Ferrioli (R – John Day)	No
Senator Jason Atkinson (R – Grants Pass)	No

HB 2186 now moves to the Senate Floor where its fate is uncertain.  If passed on the Senate Floor, it traverses the rotunda to the House for concurrence, which is likely, and then to the Governor who will sign the bill.