Oregonians have been feeling the effects of climate change the past year, whether it was the cold snap, the heatwaves, drought, or the prolonged wildfire season currently raging in the state’s forests. The state’s lead environmental agency, the Department of Environmental Quality released regulatory language for its Climate Protection Program. It was created to meet an executive order by Governor Kate Brown, but environmental advocates say it falls short, with loop holes for major polluters and little consideration for equity. The Environmental Defense Fund found that the proposed approach to a cap allowance program would give out of state oil companies $14.3 billion in free allowances or free pollution over the course of the program.
KBOO's Althea Billings spoke with Allie Rosenbluth, the Campaigns Director at Rogue Climate and Erica Morehouse, senior attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund to learn more.
- KBOO