The Climate Protection Program (CPP) aims to reduce 90% of harmful emissions from the state’s largest polluters by 2050. Implementation of the CPP was delayed for three years on a technicality following a suit by oil and gas companies, including NW Natural. Corporations are attempting to weaken, reduce polluter penalties, and delay the new revised CPP program.
The Community Investment projects are funded by holding the largest state polluters’ accountable through Community Climate Investment (CCI) credits which are critical to community climate resiliency and will themselves reduce emissions. They will bring some justice to frontline communities who are already affected by devastation climate-fueled extreme weather, as well as public health and safety risks.
We urge folks to testify asking DEQ to strengthen the Climate Protection Program by:
1. Maintaining science-based emission reductions standards and the integrity of an overall emissions cap while holding the largest industrial polluters accountable for ALL their emissions, including processing emissions;
2. Upholding the pricing structure and equity provisions of CCI credits;
3. Ensuring that corporations don’t get unfair compliance incentives;
4. Guaranteeing that the program is implemented at the earliest possible date with no further delays, starting with a one-year compliance period in 2025 then going to two years thereafter.
A strong Climate Protection Program will reduce emissions, create jobs, protect community health, mitigate against climate chaos, and provide critical environmental justice investments to Oregon’s most vulnerable communities. Read our press release for more info.
For more information go to Oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cpp or https://orclimatejustice.org/submit-public-comment/. Written testimony has been extended to September 27, by emailing to cpp.2024@deq.oregon.gov. The next virtual verbal testimony hearing will be at 3:20 pm September 26, 2024. The online hearing link https://deq-oregon-gov.zoom.us/j/85622894176 or U.S. toll-free: 669-928-4609 Meeting ID: 856 2289 4176
Feature image by Tengwan Quek courtesy of The Climate Collection.
