Greetings Comrades – this is the latest from Salem. They will now tell you which tires you are allowed to buy for your Kamaz truck.
After all ” This 2009 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist…”
What could possibly be next?
You drive too much?
You can afford and therefore must drive a hybrid?
You must ride your bike to work 2 days a week?
Red cars upset the four toed Mississippi striped tree squirrel?
And, since the automobile business is currently thriving, it should be great stimulus for the economy… Brilliant.
http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2100.dir/hb2186.intro.pdf
75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY–2009 Regular Session House Bill 2186
Ordered printed by the Speaker pursuant to House Rule 12.00A (5). Precession filed (at the request of Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski for Department of Environmental Quality)
SUMMARY The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the measure as introduced. Authorizes Environmental Quality Commission to adopt rules to help state to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Specifies rules that commission may adopt. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
A BILL FOR AN ACT Relating to greenhouse gas emissions; and declaring an emergency.Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. Sections 2 and 3 of this 2009 Act are added to and made a part of ORS chapter 468A.
SECTION 2. As used in section 3 of this 2009 Act:
(1) “Greenhouse gas” has the meaning given that term in ORS 468A.210.
(2) “Heavy-duty truck” has the meaning given that term in ORS 468A.795.
(3) “Medium-duty truck” has the meaning given that term in ORS 468A.795.
(4) “Motor vehicle” has the meaning given that term in ORS 825.005.
SECTION 3.
(1) The Environmental Quality Commission may adopt by rule the following to help this state achieve the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals specified in ORS468A.205:(a) Low carbon fuel standards for fuel that is used for transportation;
(b) Restrictions and prohibitions on the use of substances that contain, release or cause to be released greenhouse gases, if alternatives are available;
(c) Requirements to maintain or retrofit medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks in order to reduce aerodynamic drag and otherwise reduce greenhouse gas emissions from those trucks;
(d) Restrictions and prohibitions on the sale and distribution of after-market motor vehicle parts, including but not limited to tires, if alternatives are available that decrease greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles;
(e) Requirements for motor vehicle service providers to check and inflate tire pressure according to manufacturer recommended specifications; and
(f) Restrictions on engine use by parked commercial vehicles, including but not limited to medium-duty trucks and heavy-duty trucks, and by commercial ships while at port, and requirements that truck stops and ports provide alternatives to engine use such as electric power.
(2) In adopting rules under this section, the commission:
(a) Shall consider safety, feasibility and cost-effectiveness; and
(b) May differentiate between different areas of the state, different greenhouse gases and NOTE: Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted. New sections are in boldfaced type. LC 605
——————————————————————————–
Page 2
HB 2186123456different categories of substances, fuels, motor vehicles or other equipment or activities that contribute directly or indirectly to greenhouse gas emissions. SECTION 4. This 2009 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2009 Act takes effect on its passage.[2]
Response from Speaker Hunt:
February 17, 2009
Dear Brian Towey,
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about House Bill 2186. Your feedback is important to me and helps inform the actions I take in the Legislature.
As you may be aware, HB 2186 is a part of Governor Kulongoski’s effort to raise environmental standards in over state and limit carbon emissions.
The intent of section (3)(1)(d) is to allow the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission to set standards for certain replacement parts that can increase greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, not to ban parts. The standards would apply to both after-market products as well as original parts to the vehicle. The rules would be designed to prevent a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions from replacement parts while still ensuring a full range of consumer choice in products. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) does not expect this to affect a large number of products. The proposal is modeled after similar changes in states like California to improve, not ban, automotive parts.
In their testimony before the House Environment and Water Committee, DEQ made clear their commitment to amend the bill with new language to be written in cooperation with the Northwest Automotive Trades Association, the Automobile Aftermarket Industry Association and others to clarify their intent.
Thanks for writing me. It is an honor representing you in the Oregon House of Representatives and I hope you will continue to write me about issues that are important to you.
Sincerely,
Dave Hunt
State Representative
Speaker of the House
http://www.state.leg.or.us
Response from Represtative VanOrman:
Dear Brian,
Thank you for writing me about House Bill 2186. I appreciate you taking the time to voice your opinion on this matter.
My district contains some of the most beautiful countryside in Oregon: orchards, farmlands, and forests with the mighty Columbia to the North and towering Mt. Hood to the Southwest. It is my intent to keep this land pristine so that everyone can continue to enjoy our natural bounty. If we are going to accomplish this objective, we have to make sure that vehicle emissions are adequately regulated!
This bill would give the State Environmental Quality Commission the authority to set rules for lower greenhouse gas emissions for a variety of vehicles. The reason the bill declares an emergency is that it would come into effect less than 91 days after the adjournment of the session. This means that the bill has to “declare an emergency.” The use of the “declaring an emergency” clause is a long standing tradition in Oregon politics and you’ll find that about half of all bills will use this tool so that their provisions can go into effect sooner rather than later.
It is always good to hear from a fellow citizen of Hood River! I take the public input and comments, and I take your thoughts on any issues that may come up before the legislature.
Your Representative,
Suzanne VanOrman