Oppose HB 2020

By Oregon State Chamber of Commerce —

Update

Last night, the Ways & Means subcommittee on Natural Resources approved the Cap & Trade bill, HB 2020.

You can see the press release from our partners here.

We still have one last chance on Friday – in the full Ways & Means Committee – to pass the -102 amendments that will dramatically improve the legislation by removing the major cost impacts on businesses and consumers.

Please see our information on the -102 amendments and please use our Voter Voice system ASAP to tell your legislator that we need to pass the -102 amendments.  If we don’t pass the amendments, we simply need legislators to vote NO on HB 2020.

Original Post

HB 2020A is scheduled to move out of Joint Ways and Means this week, and it’s important that legislators continue to hear from local businesses about the real concerns with HB 2020—specifically fuel, natural gas, and propane cost increases.

Under HB 2020A:

• Transportation costs will increase.
• Natural gas costs will increase.
• Propane costs will increase.
• Local processors and manufacturers will face a competitive disadvantage.

While we support efforts to ensure that our state remains a national leader in addressing climate change, HB 2020A poses a serious threat to Oregon businesses and would significantly increase the cost of living for everyday Oregonians. To put it simply, HB 2020A is just not ready.

Fortunately, there is still an opportunity to get this right via the -102 amendment.This amendment maintains many of the structural features of HB 2020A while ensuring that regulated industries have an opportunity to adapt before being punished by an arbitrary cap and protecting everyday Oregonians from dramatic price increases. While this version would ultimately still impose additional cost burdens on employers and consumers, we believe it will blunt some of the harshest negative impacts that Oregonians would see under the current version of the bill.

Session is drawing to a close, and legislators are making a last push to get this bill across the finish line.  WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We need your help to explain the impacts of this policy to Oregon legislators! This damaging bill is being fast-tracked, and NOW is the time to make your voice heard. 

Email message

Please vote NO on HB 2020A. Even as it has been amended, HB 2020A will result in significant negative impacts on local businesses and Oregon families.

HB 2020 will increase the cost of living and working in Oregon.  It will make life in Oregon more expensive with no way to pay the added costs. Many families will bear the cost of fuel increases and increased natural gas rates. The price of fuel would increase by at least 16 cents per gallon; the cost of natural gas and propane would also increase for Oregon families. 

HB 2020A not only hurts Oregon residents but also our local businesses. Companies in Oregon will end up paying higher energy and operating costs, which will result in fewer living-wage jobs. This is especially troubling in rural areas.  The promise of clean energy jobs stemming from this legislation is not real.

Fortunately, there is still an opportunity to get this right via the -102 amendment.This amendment maintains many of the structural features of HB 2020A while ensuring that regulated industries have an opportunity to adapt before being punished by an arbitrary cap and protecting everyday Oregonians from dramatic price increases. They will protect Oregon jobs for our most vulnerable industries and allow them to remain competitive.

Oregon is already a leader in renewable energy and low carbon-emissions. House Bill 2020A doesn’t include enough safeguards to keep Oregon competitive or keep our businesses and jobs here.  It also would increase the cost of gas, heating, and food for all Oregonians. Please protect my community. Please support the -102 amendments or vote NO on HB 2020A.