GOP offers 5 helpful environmental bills Dems won’t touch

By In the news
In: Uncategorized
Monday April 24, 2023


House Republicans Vote to Protect Oregon from Environmental Hazards
Every Bill with Republican Chief Sponsors Voted Down, Never Moved Out of Committee
By Oregon House Republican Caucus

SALEM, OR – Today, in recognition of Earth Day, House Republicans attempted to withdraw five pieces of legislation that would have protected Oregon from future environmental hazards. Experts expect that more than 720,000 tons worth of wind turbine blades will end up in U.S. landfills over the next 20 years, and that 78 million tons of solar waste will end up in U.S. landfills over the next 25 years.

While none of the motions received the required 31 votes to withdraw the legislation, three of the five votes received bipartisan support.

  • House Bill 2215 – Removes barriers to the production of nuclear energy in Oregon. Motion to withdraw from Climate, Energy, and Environment failed – Ayes, 23; Nays, 33.
  • House Bill 2198 – Creates accountability for renewable energy project failures. Motion to withdraw from Climate, Energy, and Environment failed – Ayes, 30; Nays, 26.
  • House Bill 2702 – Requires renewable energy facilities that receive state assistance to provide maximum output for customers. Motion to withdraw from Climate, Energy, and Environment failed – Ayes, 23; Nays, 33.
  • House Bill 2769 – Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to study the impact of electric vehicle battery disposal. Motion to withdraw from Climate, Energy, and Environment failed – Ayes, 27; Nays, 29.
  • House Bill 2770 – Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to study the impact of waste from solar or wind renewable energy facilities. Motion to withdraw from Climate, Energy, and Environment failed – Ayes, 26; Nays, 30.

“We cannot simultaneously claim to be moving towards a renewable energy future while having no plan to mitigate the potentially hazardous waste caused by these energy sources. We should be doing the responsible thing and understanding the ramifications of the policy we set,” said Co-Vice Chair of the Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee, Representative Bobby Levy (R-Echo) on the House floor. “I am disappointed that we had the option before us today to study the impacts of this growing energy sector and chose to disregard it.”

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