Welcome to the 350PDX newsletter, where we highlight action opportunities, upcoming events, and more. But first, we want to highlight an opportunity for engagement in the 2024 Oregon Legislative Session, which is happening now until March 10:
Tell your Legislator to Prioritize Climate Justice this Legislative Session
The 2024 Oregon Legislative Session has started! Now through when the session ends on March 10, it’s critical we make it clear to legislators that we need them to pass key climate justice bills, and prioritize climate justice in Oregon’s budget.
ACTION OPPORTUNITIES:
SB 1593-3 Fire Safe Communities: SB 1593 had a hearing yesterday (2/28) in the Senate Committee on Finance & Revenue, but was not yet voted on. You can submit written testimony supporting SB 1593 with the -3 amendment before 3pm on Friday, March 1. This bill would study the best way to generate revenue to address wildfire risk, mitigation, and firefighting. Here is a testimony toolkit.
In Ways & Means: Bills receive funding allocations from the Joint Committee on Ways & Means, which has to decide which things we can pay for and how much we can afford. We need these bills to receive funding and be voted out of committee so they can pass before the end of the 2024 Oregon Legislative Session on March 10. Contact the Joint Committee on Ways & Means to ask them to fully fund these priorities and move them forward out of the committee:
- HB 4148 Wildlife Package
- HB 4132 Marine Reserves
- HB 4044 Toxic Plumes Study
- Climate Budget: $9 million for Climate Change Fund, Oregon Worker Relief
HB 4083-1 COAL Act: The COAL Act passed the Senate Committee on Energy & the Environment, and we’re waiting to hear when there will be a vote in the Senate. Please email your senators asking them to vote yes for HB 4083 when it comes to the Senate.
Healthy Homes: The full $15 million request was put into SB 1530 in the -A5 amendment, which passed the Joint Committee on Ways & Means yesterday (2/28). We’re waiting to hear when the Senate vote will be scheduled. Stay tuned for the opportunity to email your senators to pass SB 1530 when it comes to the Senate. For now – Urge the Ways and Means Committee to support Healthy Homes!
Sign up to receive action alerts during the 2024 Oregon legislative session so you know when and how to make your voice heard in the ways it will make the most impact. Did you miss our How a Bill Becomes a Law Training? Check out the recording of the training here so you feel informed to participate in this year’s legislative session with us
In gratitude,
350PDX Staff
Take Action
For quick actions like petitions, check out our Take Action Page. Take the Pledge of Action for more updates.
Take action to defend the Portland Clean Energy Fund!
In 2018, Portlanders made history by passing Measure 26-201, the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) ballot initiative, which created the first climate-fund measure in the country created by and for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities and others on the frontlines of climate change. PCEF invests over $150 million a year in clean energy projects, job training opportunities, and green infrastructure development like shade equity projects, with BIPOC and other frontline community members overseeing how the fund is distributed.
Now, members of the Portland City Council are trying to change city code so that they can redirect PCEF money to go toward funding city programs unrelated to climate and environment over the next five years, to make up for budget shortfalls. PCEF was designed to help low income and communities of color, not fund city bureau projects unrelated to climate or environmental justice. Help defend the Portland Clean Energy Fund by signing this petition!
Support the State Forest Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)
On March 7, the Board of Forestry will vote on a recommendation from the State Forester, deciding whether to finalize the State Forest Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The HCP will protect essential habitat for 17 imperiled species of salmon and wildlife on 640,000 acres of Oregon state forests, establish buffers protecting forests from clearcutting, and create large Habitat Conservation Areas for species dependent on mature forests, like the marbled murrelet, coastal marten, and spotted owl.
You can also attend the Board of Forestry’s meeting on March 7 in Salem to support the HCP, in person or virtually. If showing up in person: Wear green and bring a small sign that says “HCP Yes!” Get there before 9 a.m. to get a seat. Learn more and sign-up here. Learn more and sign up here to join the meeting here.
Take action for clean air in Multnomah County
Here in Multnomah County, we have a huge opportunity to fight back against the gas industry and enact policies that ensure cleaner and safer air for us all to breathe. But the County needs to hear from YOU to take this action.
Join us in telling Multnomah County Commissioners: We need Clean Air Quality Standards NOW!
Chair Jessica Vega Peterson: 503-988-3308 mult.chair@
Sharon Meieran: 503-988-5220, district1@
Jesse Beason: 503-988-5219, district2@multco.us
Lori Stegmann: 503-988-5213, district4@
Julia Brim-Edwards: 503-988-5217, district3@
CALL SCRIPT
“Hi _____. My name is _____ , I live in ______. I’m calling because I am urging you to use your power as our local health authority to fight for air quality standards for our community. I’m concerned about appliances that leak dangerous methane gas and toxic pollutants in the buildings in our community, and I think it’s time for the County to take bold action. Pollution from our stoves, heaters, and fireplaces can cause conditions like asthma and heart failure. Please take action on this important issue.”
Tell Multnomah County Commissioners to Pass a Ceasefire Resolution
On February 1st, the people of Multnomah County showed up in force to the county commissioners meeting to rally and give public testimony expressing support for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Commissioner Lori Stegmann responded by announcing that she will be championing a ceasefire resolution later in February.
We want to thank Commissioner Stegmann for demonstrating the moral courage to introduce a ceasefire resolution, and we need to show her our support! Let’s show the other commissioners the importance of expeditiously passing a ceasefire resolution that aligns with the demands Palestinian leaders have been reiterating for months. The board needs to hear from all their constituents how important this resolution is for the community in Multnomah County. So we need your help!
TAKE ACTION!
1) Email Multnomah County Commissioners voicing your support for ceasefire and demanding that they pass a comprehensive ceasefire resolution ➡️ bit.ly/thankyoustegmann
2) Email Lori Stegmann in support of her commitment to introduce a ceasefire resolution ➡️ bit.ly/multnomahceasefire
Events & Opportunities
The Growing Threats of Industrial Biomass Energy Production
Fri, March 1, 3:30-5:00PM — at the University of Oregon in Eugene (Allen 140)
This weekend at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference at the University of Oregon in Eugene, we invite you to join us for a discussion on The Growing Threats of Industrial Biomass Energy Production. Over the past decade, the large-scale use of woody biomass for energy production has skyrocketed, pushed by international energy giants like Enviva and Drax. These companies have devastated the forests and communities in the American SE, logging whole forests to burn in converted coal plants – while claiming the emissions are “carbon neutral” and receiving massive government subsidies. Recently, the international biomass export industry has expanded into British Columbia and is trying to create new export facilities in Washington and California. Join the Dogwood Alliance, NRDC, 350PDX and Stand.earth as we discuss how to best leverage all our local campaigns to stop this false climate solution for gaining ground.
350PDX Book Club: All We Can Save
Wed, March 13 @ 6:30-8:00 PM — at the 350PDX Office (3639 N Mississippi Ave), Learn more and RSVP here!
Join the 350PDX Climate Book Club! Our club meetings are a place for anyone interested in the climate justice movement to come together and talk about the most important books of our time. We meet every other month, usually the second Wednesday 6:30pm-8pm, in the 350PDX Office (although this sometimes changes, so doublecheck). We sometimes have an additional virtual meet-up is there is demand, for folks who can’t make it in-person. We alternate between fiction and non-fiction. Need to borrow the book? Reach out and we’ll see what we can do!
In March, we’re discussing All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis. Learn more and RSVP here!
Shade Equity Social
Mon, March 11, 6:00-8:00PM — 350PDX Office (3639 N Mississippi Ave) – learn more and sign up here
It’s time for another Shade Equity Social! Join 350PDX on Monday, March 11th from 6-8 pm to celebrate Portland’s urban forests and share information & ideas about how to grow a more climate resilient and equitable urban forest.
A key issue that has arisen at several Shade Equity Socials is that many of our goals would be easier to realize with more urban forests & green infrastructure champions on the City Council. Our March Social will both build on these discussions and make actionable plans for engagement in the upcoming local election. Please note 350PDX is a 501(c)(3) org so the conversations will not focus on supporting particular
Partner Event: Climate Cafe PDX
Thurs, March 14, 6:15-7:45PM — location TBD, learn more here
Join Climate Cafe PDX, an informal, open, respectful, confidential space to process climate related emotions with people in our community. Free and open to all. This is also a space for exploration of thoughts, feelings and experiences rather than what we are doing about the climate crisis. LOCATION TBD, email climatecafepdx@gmail.com for updates.
350PDX March Action Night – City Council Candidates Meet & Greet!
Wed, March 20, 6:00-8:00PM — 350PDX Office (3639 N Mississippi Ave) – learn more and sign up here
Actions with Don’t Shoot PDX
Throughout the week, across the city – details here
Worker Solidarity Actions
Throughout the week, across the city – visit the Portland Jobs with Justice page for more info. Also see their list of solidarity actions.
News & Updates
The Drax Group, the company trying to build a biomass plant in Longview, WA, is logging old growth in British Columbia
A new BBC report shows international energy giant Drax is logging old growth trees in British Columbia for its biomass pellet plants. This is the same company that wants to build a new pellet production and export facility in Longview, WA! Given this news and all the other problems with the biomass industry, our comrades in the UK are pushing for their government to end Drax’s subsidies.
Thank you to everyone who joined the 350PDX Lobby Day last week!
Thanks to all who joined us last week for a lobby day, where we met with our legislators and called on them to pass key climate justice bills this legislative session! See more photos of our meetings with legislators and their staff members here.
We met with Rep Khanh Pham, Senator Taylor, Senator Frederick, Senator Wagner’s staff, Senator Steiner’s staff, Senator Jama, Senator Lieber’s staff, Senator Dembrow, Rep Grayber’s staff, Rep Nosse, Rep Tran, Rep Dexter, and Rep Gamba’s staff.
Do you live in the blast zone of Zenith’s oil trains?
Do you live in the blast zone of Zenith’s oil trains? Use this map to find out. If you do, call and write to the City of Portland and share that you live in the blast zone and are concerned for your safety. You can also pick up a yard sign to have in your front yard or apartment window to educate your neighbors about the blast zone and what they can do to #StopZenith. Send an email to stopzenith@350pdx.org to coordinate receiving a yard sign from one of our team members.
The 350PDX Fossil Fuel Resistance Team is also helping folks hold Neighborhood Parties to educate their community about the issue, reach out to dineen@350pdx.org and lisebethjacobs@gmail.com to learn more.
In love and gratitude,
The 350PDX staff
