Oregon To Cut 90% Of Fossil Fuel Pollution By 2050

Oregon’s Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) adopted the Climate Protection Program yesterday, endorsed by Governor Tina Kotek.

The program aims to significantly reduce climate pollution emanating from fossil fuels. The state has a 50% reduction target by 2035 and 90% by 2050.

Oregon Seeks To Reduce Fossil Fuel Pollution By 90% By 2020

After a December 2023 decision by the Oregon Court of Appeals invalidated the original rules because of a procedural error, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) conducted an inclusive process, including feedback from several stakeholders, to redraft the rules.

The 2024 rules include specific regulations for developing carbon intensity targets for manufacturing facilities and emissions-intensive industries in collaboration with the Oregon Public Utilities Commission to monitor natural gas rates.

The Climate Protection Program was approved by the DEQ’s governing body on Thursday, November 21. It sets declining and enforceable caps on greenhouse gas emissions and targets to reduce fossil fuel pollution by 90% by 2050.

While the first compliance period runs from January 2025 through the end of 2027, the DEQ will establish carbon emissions intensity targets for manufacturing facilities for the next compliance period, which will run from 2028 to 2029.

Oregon Community Climate Investment Program

The Climate Protection Program also highlights auditing Community Climate Investment projects to ensure benefit environmental justice communities benefit.

EQC Chair Matt Donegan said the program maintains the state’s commitment to addressing climate change while transitioning the economy to remain globally competitive. At the same time, the program will invest in the communities that are most affected.

The emissions cap will be managed by the DEQ by distributing a limited number of free credits to regulated entities, such as fossil fuel suppliers and large manufacturers. Each credit allows one ton of emissions and can be banked or traded. Additional credits can also be earned through contributions to DEQ-approved Community Climate Investments.

DEQ Director Leah Feldon said this way of regulating manufacturers separately was an early request from the business community and brings these facilities under the cap, accommodating changes and growth in Oregon’s manufacturers.

Emphasizing the state’s role in climate protection, Governor Tina Kotek endorsed the program. She said he program will hold polluters accountable and fund community investments that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon.