Apr 27 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Scott Learn The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.


The latest legislative effort to require utilities, transportation and industry to meet Oregon's greenhouse gas reduction goals would let state agencies abandon the goals if they're considered not "economically feasible."

From an environmental standpoint, that's a big downgrade from an earlier version of Senate Bill 80, the centerpiece of Gov. Ted Kulongoski's plan to address global warming.

The earlier version called for utilities to meet Oregon's goal -- knocking down greenhouse gases to 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 -- absent "extraordinary economic hardship."

Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp, Oregon's largest electric utilities, claim that reducing the emissions to meet Oregon's goal would drive huge rate increases. Environmental activists say the utilities are exaggerating shamelessly.

But SB 80 has been stuck in the Senate environment and natural resources committee, where it's scheduled for a hearing Tuesday.

The softer language on economics -- included as an amendment after discussion between legislative leaders, the governor's office, utilities, environmental groups and others -- could help the bill overcome concerns in committee and on the Senate floor.

As proposed, the amended bill still would allow agencies to adopt greenhouse gas reduction strategies without getting legislative approval first. That's also a sticking point for many legislators.

To meet Oregon's goal, by 2020 overall greenhouse gas emissions would have to drop by about a third compared with today, the state projects.

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