More than 70 Oregon business executives, entrepreneurs, investors and other professionals sent a letter to state lawmakers on Wednesday urging them to pass the Clean Energy Jobs bill (H.B. 2020).
According to the letter signed by Oregon members, supporters and partners of the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs), the groundbreaking bill would send a clear, long-term signal to investors that Oregon’s clean energy market is poised for further expansion. It would also give clean energy businesses the clarity needed to make long-term expansion plans.
“Oregon needs to remain competitive globally and regionally with its Pacific Coast Collaborative partners of California, Washington, and British Columbia, which are actively transitioning to becoming prosperous low-carbon economies,” said Erik Wohlgemuth, chief operating officer of consulting firm Future 500 and a director of E2’s Pacific Northwest chapter. “This bill will set a strong market signal to attract investment that will accelerate the region’s economic growth both in our cities, and rural communities who steward our working lands, ensuring a just transition for all Oregonians.”
Wohlgemuth and other Oregon business leaders on Wednesday personally delivered the letter to nearly 50 legislators in Salem and also met with Gov. Kate Brown’s staff to urge passage of the bill.
“Oregon must capture this economic opportunity,” said Danny Metcalf, E2 member and director of business operations at Brew Dr Kombucha. “The potential cost of climate change to Oregon’s economy is catastrophic. By passing a strong Cap-and-Invest policy, Oregon will work to mitigate this threat while driving job growth, investment, and new opportunities for workers and businesses across the state.”
“A Cap-and-Invest program will also provide benefits to Oregon businesses built around working and natural lands,” said Linda Gerber, E2 member, farmer and consultant. “A well-crafted program will create market structures that draw private investment to sustainable agriculture projects and will invest program proceeds in climate change mitigation and resiliency projects on Oregon’s farms, ranches, and forests.”
For more information or to speak with local business leaders, please contact Michael Timberlake at (202) 289-2407, mtimberlake@e2.org.
News item from Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2)
Pam Galli says
How will it effect farmers and gas prices?
I am all for solar and wind power. I would like to see the damp system upgraded.
Ranchers have no control over constant price changes.
Deb Merchant says
Please – solar panels on every roof where it makes sense! I no longer pay for electricity in Albany, OR thanks to solar panels. And, four paid workers did a fantastic job while earning a livable wage. It doesn’t get better than that!