Rep. Elmer on lawsuit over controversial, costly climate program

House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer Responds to Lawsuit Against DEQ’s Devastating Climate Protection Program
By Oregon House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer,

SALEM, Ore. — House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer (R-McMinnville) issued the following statement in response to a coalition of business and labor groups filing suit against Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality for the Climate Protection Plan.

“Over the last few years, I have met with dozens of business leaders in Oregon who have immense fear that the Climate Protection Program will cripple their ability to continue to operate in our state. These fears are real, and the current program, if implemented, would price carbon dramatically higher than any other state in America. I applaud the coalition for standing up for Oregonians’ ability to build and produce.

This program was not implemented by the Legislature, but by Executive Order under Governor Brown. It will overly burden businesses, increase the cost of living for Oregonians, and direct funds to unaccountable nonprofits without Legislative oversight.

The Governor should have moved to repeal this program from Governor Brown on her first day in office, but instead, those in the crosshairs of this disastrous policy will have to seek relief in the court system. They should never have been in this position in the first place.”