TAKE ACTION! The Clean Oregon Asset Legislation – or COAL Act (HB 4083) Act just passed the floor vote in the Oregon House, so please contact your state Senator immediately and urge them to vote for this important piece of legislation – link to talking points. Divest Oregon is urging folks to travel to Salem this Thursday, February 22nd to push the bill forward and out of committee. Divest Oregon will be carpooling from the SW Barbur Fred Meyer parking lot at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, February 22. If you need a ride to the Fred Meyer gathering spot, or to Salem, please contact Diana Meisenhelter of XRPDX at meissun@hotmail.com, or call 503-349-1460.
Divest from Fossil Fuels/Invest in the Future
Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, and poses huge financial risks. The world is shifting to clean energy and coal demand is declining. However, the Oregon State Treasury has hundreds of millions of dollars invested in coal, plus billions in other fossil fuels.
Susan Palmiter and Jenifer Schramm are co-leads of the all-volunteer, grassroots Divest Oregon campaign founded in 2021. In just two years, and with little experience in politics, this dynamic duo has brought together a powerful coalition of 100 Oregon organizations to pressure the Oregon Treasury to stop investing in fossil fuels and re-invest in a green future.
In this year’s short legislative session, Divest Oregon has highlighted coal as an investment liability that is costing retirees and other beneficiaries of state Treasury investments. The coalition has worked with legislators and Treasury staff to develop a pathway toward successful legislation.
Rep. Khanh Pham, D-Portland, has championed the Clean Oregon Asset Legislation – or COAL Act (HB 4083) in Salem alongside a large and growing number of legislative co-sponsors. On Monday, February 19th, HB 4083 passed a vote on the House floor along party lines, and the bill now moves forward to the Senate.
Add Your Voice
If you haven’t already provided testimony on the COAL Act (HB 4083), please use this tool kit to write to the Senate Committee now.
Want to track a bill in Oregon? Go to https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws, search or navigate to the bill number or name.
