November 6, 2014
Oregon businesses, public health organizations, and consumer groups call for action on Clean Fuels
Job creation, clean air, fuel choice top reasons to
support Clean Fuels Program
(Portland) – Oregonians will benefit from new jobs and investment, reduced air pollution, cleaner air, and cheaper fuel options with full implementation of the state’s Clean Fuels Program in January, according to Oregon businesses, public health and consumer groups testifying today to Oregon’s Environmental Quality Commission.
More than a dozen companies including Waste Management, Moda Health, Pacific Ethanol, and ChargePoint signed on to a joint letter in support of Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program, urging EQC to adopt final rules and begin implementing the program in January 2015.
“Implementing 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 Joel Fischer, Senior Policy Analyst for the Oregon Business Association.
“This program opens the market to local low carbon fuel companies here in Oregon,” said Tom Koehler, representing Pacific Ethanol. “Instead of sending billions of dollars to out-of-state oil importers, we can keep more dollars in state to invest in homegrown businesses, jobs, and products.”
The Oregon Legislature passed the Clean Fuels Program in 2009 with a goal of reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 10 percent over 10 years. After years of delay, the program is on track for final implementation in January 2015.
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 and save consumers more than a billion dollars.
In addition to the business coalition letter, more than a dozen businesses and organizations from around the state will testify in support of the Program at today’s hearing.
“By diversifying Oregonians’ fuel choices, we can drive down overall fuel bills,” said Shannon Baker-Branstetter, Consumers Union. “Clean fuels help consumers finally have a say about the transportation options they want to use to power their lifestyles.
“This is a win-win for Oregon. It is good for Oregon’s jobs and economy and consumers’ fuel costs, and it directly benefits each and every Oregonian by cleaning our air. The Clean Fuels Program is a top priority for the American Lung Association,” said Carrie Nyssen, American Lung Association in Oregon.
For more information about the broad coalition of supporters, please visit: www.CleanFuelsWork.com
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Media Contacts
Joel Fischer, Oregon Business Association, 503-706-4652
Tom Koehler, Pacific Ethanol, 503-490-1070
Shannon Baker-Branstetter, Consumers Union, 571-225-8128
Carrie Nyssen, American Lung Association in Oregon, 360-921-1484