Double-D,

Thanks for your help in this... I /we here in Oregon appreciate all the help!! Scooter

Well Rigsby, whats the update on our idiot bill.

This is a copy of the bill H.B. 2186





75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 Regular Session

NOTE: Matter within { + braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within { - braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
{ + braces and plus signs + } .

LC 605

House Bill 2186

Ordered printed by the Speaker pursuant to House Rule 12.00A (5).
Presession 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 ORS
468A.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 different 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. + }

This is the history of the bill H.B. 2186

HB 2186 Ordered printed by the Speaker pursuant to House Rule 12.00A (5). Presession filed. (at the request of Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski for Department of Environmental Quality) -- Relating to greenhouse gas emissions; declaring an emergency.

1-15(H) First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
1-20 Referred to Environment and Water.

2-3 Public Hearing held.

2-10 Public Hearing held.

Its not scheduled for another hearing as yet. I waiting on a call from the Environment and Water committee to see when they will bring this measure up for hearing.

Looks like the next hearing will be first of March. They're are trying to reword it to slow opposition. In the bill, at the request of Governor Theodore Kulongoski, the Oregon Speaker of the House has introduced legislation (H.B. 2186) to prohibit the sale and distribution of aftermarket motor vehicle parts if alternatives are available that “decrease greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.” The bill is primarily focused on aftermarket tires and would authorize the Environmental Quality Commission to implement enforcement regulations, likely based on a rolling resistance calculation. They are trying to do is give full authority to the Environment Air Quality Commission, which is a commission of appointed members by the Governor. Who is the one pushing the bill. This will give control to the Governor on the subject since he appoints the commission, to me making it a conflict of interest. Our US Congress has already mandated that in the near future our automobile manufactures will have decreased greenhouse gas emissions on newly built motor vehicles. Probably one reason or Ford and GM are going under. R&D expenses are killer in this area.
The bill is in Environment and Water commission right now, the number for that commission is 503-986-1751, which is who I called to find out when the next hearing is set for.
Andy Ginsburg is the Director of the Environment Air Quality Commission, appointed by the Governor, and his number is 503-229-5397.

looks like we will all have to run catalatic converters and smog pumps on our drag cars, what's next smokeless slicks. :?:

Here is the answer below I got from them.... it appears that they are modifing the bill. Now they minmize & rationalize the intent in a more gentle way. This is typical... they back off, then take "baby steps" to get to the same end- result while we get some spin doctor story. It has worked in the past, but not this time. I will call them this week & see why they are taking a different approach... then I will voice my concerns & have my suppoters here at work call too. Scooter





February 17, 2009

Dear Casey Oconnell,

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