|
Home >
Legislative Tracker
> Raid on the Public Purpose Charge for Energy Conservation
Energy:
Raid on the Public Purpose Charge for Energy Conservation
Our Position: oppose
Bill Number: SB 994
Sponsor: Ways and Means Committee
Legislative Session: 2007
The public purpose charge on electric bills in Oregon contributes to a fund managed by the Energy Trust of Oregon to promote cost-effective energy conservation and efficiency, and new investments in renewable energy.
An omnibus spending bill, SB 994, passed in the final hours of the legislative session without a public hearing and redirected public purpose funds to pay off a 15-year-old rebuilding loan for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). Rather than using this money for important new energy efficiency and conservation measures as is the intention of the public purpose charge, ratepayers will now be helping OMSI address its financial difficulties. While OMSI is a great organization, this is an innapropriate use for these funds, and we urge the Governor to use his line item veto to stop this funds transfer, and urge the legislature to craft a better plan to help OMSI.
Status
8/10/07 - Governor Kulongoski vetoed the provision to spend $4.5 million in 'public purpose charge' energy conservation and efficiency money to help pay off a loan at OMSI.
More information
For more information, please contact Ivan Maluski at ivan.maluski@sierraclub.org or Oregon Chapter Energy Issues Coordinator Fred Heutte at fred.heutte@oregon.sierraclub.org
|
