HB 2020 is a climate control bill that attempts to curb carbon pollution through a complex process involving the creation of an Oregon Carbon Board as well as taxes on carbon usage from the business sector. This bill has been hotly debated from both sides, with those in support of the bill seeking quick action on carbon emissions, and those opposing the bill wary of the affects it will have on the economy. I have some concerns about this bill due to several pieces of it, and the large amount of constituent outcry against it. Here are some of the issues of the bill that have been highlighted.
- This initiative only applies to Oregon and companies within state lines, however, in order to have a perceptible impact on global warming, the entire nation must take action which would require a unified national approach to prevent industrial employers from simply moving their operations and jobs across state borders to less-restrictive areas. The proposed carbon fees will cost jobs in this state, because they will put our industries at major competitive disadvantages with other states. Multiple mills and manufacturing companies have already threatened to move to other states if this legislation passes which would cost our state thousands of jobs.
- A similar piece of legislation has been previously passed in California. According to Bill Kerr, president of United Steelworkers Local Union 1097 and a mill employee, said no pulping mills operate in California since enactment of that state’s cap-and-trade legislation. Because Oregon relies more heavily on manufacturing than California does, it could be detrimental to our economy.
- The bill itself has over 116 amendments which raises some questions as to its original intentions and readiness for action. In the words of my colleague Senator Johnson(featured in the article listed below), "Any bill with upwards of 90 amendments sends a clear signal that the complicated concepts are not fully developed. This bill will not, in and of itself, deliver a clean climate. It could, however, create a real disruption to our economy and the displacement of many established jobs.”
- The costs that are intended for businesses will be paid for by working Oregonians. The fees proposed for carbon emitters will be passed on to the working class in the form of increased gas and utility prices. According to the Oregon Department of Environmental quality, if this were enacted gas would rise at a minimum 16 cents per gallon. None of which goes to road maintenance, but rather towards administration costs to run the program. This will be a hard hit to farmers and the trucking industry which are both key pieces in the food production chain. This will result in increased prices for food which will be a particularly hard hit to low income Oregonians.