LOC News
DEQ Rulemaking – Climate Protection Program
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will ask the state’s Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) to adopt new rules and rule amendments to chapter 340 of the Oregon Administrative Rules. This would establish a new Climate Protection Program to limit greenhouse gas emissions from certain sources in Oregon. The program would carry out Governor Brown’s Executive Order 20-04, which includes directives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and address the effects of climate change. The objectives of the rulemaking are to:
- Establish a new program to set limits on greenhouse gas emissions from significant sources in Oregon, including large stationary sources, transportation fuels, and other liquid and gaseous fuels;
- Define regulatory applicability and program requirements; and
- Prioritize equity by promoting benefits and alleviating burdens for environmental justice and impacted communities.
The DEQ is asking for public comment on the proposed rules. Anyone can submit comments and questions about this rulemaking. Comments can be submitted through email, by regular mail or at the public hearing. The DEQ will only consider comments on the proposed rules that are received by 4 p.m. on October 4.
The DEQ will be working on incorporating comments and plans to submit the proposed rule and staff report to the EQC in November. The EQC would then consider the proposed rule and decide whether to approve in December.
Comment By Email
Any person can submit comments by sending an email. Commenters should include “Rulemaking Comment” in the email subject line. Submit emails to: GHGCR2021@deq.state.or.us.
Comment By Mail
Oregon DEQ
Attn: Nicole Singh
700 NE Multnomah St., Suite 600
Portland, OR 97232-4100
Public Hearings
The DEQ plans to hold two public hearings, the second of which will be hosted by the EQC. The details are listed below. Anyone can attend a hearing by webinar or by phone. The hearings will be online and by teleconference only.
Hearing #1 hosted by DEQ
Date: September 22, 2021
Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. PT
Location: Meeting to be held remotely. Visit the rulemaking website Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program 2021 for information on how to join the meeting, which will be available by September 8.
Hearing #2 hosted by the EQC
Date: September 30, 2021
Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. PT
Location: Meeting to be held remotely. Visit the Environmental Quality Commission website for information on how to join the meeting, which will be available by September 16.
Additional Information
To view copies of the notice documents and learn more about this rulemaking and how to submit comments, view the rulemaking web page at Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program 2021. Anyone wishing to receive future email notices about this rulemaking must sign up at GovDelivery. More information about this rulemaking is available by contacting GHGCR2021@deq.state.or.us.
Contact: Jenna Jones, Lobbyist – jjones@orcities.org
Last Updated 8/20/21