Via Main Street Alliance:
Oregon Businesses Applaud Senate Passage of Clean Fuels Program
Job creation and consumer savings to help boost Oregon’s economy
Today, the Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 324 to reauthorize Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program, which will expand Oregon’s clean fuels market and reduce harmful pollution for cleaner air and healthier communities. Oregon business leaders, who have long supported the program for its jobs and economic growth benefits, praised the Senate reauthorization of the program as a critical step in moving forward Oregon’s homegrown, alternative fuel industry to create jobs.
“The Clean Fuels Program is a well-designed, market-based program that will spur economic activity while safe guarding businesses,” said Jim Houser, co-owner of Hawthorne Auto Clinic and co-chair of the Main Street Alliance of Oregon. “The Main Street Alliance of Oregon has supported the Clean Fuels Program since 2009, and we are pleased that the Senate today has taken us one step closer to finalizing this long process.”
An economic analysis commissioned by the Department of Environmental Quality found that expanding market access for alternative fuels, including electric vehicles, advanced biofuels, natural gas and propane, could create thousands of jobs in Oregon and save consumers more than a billion dollars.
“Reauthorizing the Clean Fuels Program will provide the regulatory certainty Oregon businesses need to invest, helping our economy and expanding family-wage jobs across the state,” said Houser.
BACKGROUND
Since 2009, business leaders have worked in conjunction with public health advocates, consumer groups, environmental organizations, labor groups, and other civic leaders in support of Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program. By requiring oil importers to reduce their carbon pollution by 10% over 10 years, Oregon can reduce harmful pollution and expand Oregon’s own homegrown fuel industry.
Oregon businesses have long recognized the economic and jobs benefits of the bill. In 2014, more than a dozen companies including Waste Management, Moda Health, and ChargePoint signed on to a joint letter in support of Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program.
Earlier this month, the Clean Fuels Business Advisory Committee – which included representatives from Daimler, Intel, IBEW Local 48, NW Natural, Timbers Product Company, and others – released their report and recommendations to the Governor, unanimously recommending reauthorization of the Clean Fuels Program for Oregon’s jobs and economy.
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Media Contact:
Jim Houser, Co-Owner of Hawthorne Auto Clinic & Co-Chair of The Main Street Alliance of Oregon