Bill Graveyard

The Scorecard tells a large part of the environmental story of the session, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. That’s because dozens of pro-environment bills were killed before legislators ever had a chance to vote on them. Read the eulogies on five of them below and make sure your legislators help them rise from the dead in 2011.

Senate Bill 80

Cornerstone Law on Climate Change

Killed by Industry and Utilities

Senate Bill 80 could have created 40,000 jobs for Oregon families by limiting carbon emissions in Oregon. Months of talks ended when legislators allowed the state’s major industry and utility companies, who are also the state’s largest polluters, to waffle during negotiations and go back on previous commitments, killing the bill.

House Bill 2015

Ensure New Energy Supplies Were Responsible

Killed by the House Sustainability and Economic Development Committee

House Bill 2015, an OCN Priority bill, would have ensured liquefied natural gas facilities met a variety of standards before they could be permitted in Oregon. Those standards included ensuring competitive natural gas prices, protection of fish and wildlife habitat, and consistency with Oregon’s commitment to fight
the climate crisis. The bill was killed in committee.

Senate Bill 977

Cutting Subsidies of Dirty Utilities

Killed without a House Vote

In a session where legislators cut key environmental and social programs, Senate Bill 977 would have recovered precious tax dollars that currently subsidize the state’s reviews of major private energy projects. The bill passed the Senate in a unanimous vote, only to die when Speaker Hunt refused to schedule a vote on the bill.

House Bill 2184

Updates to Oregon’s Bottle Bill

Killed by Corporate Lobbyists

House Bill 2184 would have phased in improvements to Oregon’s signature Bottle Bill law to cover more containers and increase the nickel deposit if the bottle recycling rate fell. It was twice brought to the House floor but was ultimately killed when industry lobbyists pushed Representatives to postpone action.

House Bill 2367

Protecting Children from Toxics

Killed by the Chemical Industry

House Bill 2367 would have banned two known toxic chemicals, bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates, from children’s products in Oregon.  Many children’s products — toys, baby bottles, car-safety seats, baby shampoos, and clothing — contain toxic chemicals linked to a wide array of health effects, including reproductive and hormone problems, learning disabilities, and cancer. Children are uniquely vulnerable to toxic chemicals, which can disrupt their development and cause lifelong health issues. The bill was killed in the House Consumer Protection Committee.