Oregon Governor Brown Signs Bill for Clean Fuels

(SAN FRANCISCO – March 12, 2015) – Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed into law today a clean fuels bill which requires fuel distributors to lower the “carbon intensity” of vehicle fuels by 10 percent over the next decade.  The bill, SB 324, extends a clean fuels program in the state that began in 2009, and is similar to California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which was approved in 2007 following the passage of California’s landmark climate legislation, AB 32.  California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which is a key component of California’s overall suite of climate and energy policies, calls for a 10 percent reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 2020.  Governor Kate Brown, before signing Oregon’s bill, cited the ongoing commitment between Oregon, California, and Washington to work together to tackle the harmful effects of climate change as an important reason to continue moving forward with policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“We applaud Governor Brown and the state of Oregon for their leadership on clean fuels. Though no one city, state, or country can tackle climate change on its own, actions such as Oregon’s prove that solutions exist that can be replicated elsewhere.

“Oregon’s partner to the south, California, is already proving that strong fuels policies can improve public health and grow the economy at the same time. While Golden State residents love and depend on our cars, we also understand that we need to run those cars on cleaner fuel sources, for the sake of people and the planet.” 

• Derek Walker, Associate Vice President, U.S. Climate and Energy Program