Controversial Energy Bill Close to Passing in Oregon, Pollution Taxes Coming?

It's cleared the State House, now heads to the Senate.

Although many legislators are concerned a five-week legislative period isn't long enough to consider such sweeping changes to energy policy, many are in approval of this compromise plan.

The passage of this bill is considered better than an even more controversial one that would be put before voters in November, if this one doesn't pass. House Bill 4036 would completely phase out the use of coal in Oregon by 2030, and by 2040 would double the state's renewable energy standard. That's the requirement of how much energy is generated, say electricity, by what is considered green energy sources.

The bill, and it's Senate companions, would kill the Boardman Coal Plant by 2030. It's the only such coal-fired plant in the state.

According to Oregonlive.com, HB4036 and it's companion bill are big, expensive and complicated:

  " Both aim to reduce the state's output of global-warming gases. One does that by placing an anti-coal, pro-renewable energy procurement standard on the state's big electric utilities; the other by putting hard caps on emissions of carbon dioxide and forcing big emitters to buy credits each year from the state."

So far in Washington, legislators and others have been able to stave off Gov. Inslee's attempts to implement such pollution taxes, but it appears in Oregon, they are headed that way.

Critics say the bills will have a definite impact on businesses, manufacturers, and consumers with higher energy prices and more economic impact, but the environmental positives will be minimal.